Dear Kathy

You are perfectly correct all mothers do need to "let" their babies suckle
frequently in order to maintain a good supply. There was no other
implication. You are also perfectly correct that not all mothers in
developing countries are malnoursihed but once again it is more common than
in developed countries. I think Felicty Savage-King was making the point
that it is important that the babe does actually suckle frequently to
maintain the supply. I would also agree that frequent suckling seen in some
developing countries has nothing to do with the nutritional status of the
mother its just what babies and mothers do.

Now having said all that lets not presume that all mothers in developing
countries feed frequently. According to our sample data in a local study I
am involved with at present The exclusive breastfeeding rate is 24% to 4
months. Nearly 58% of the babies are being fed one or other combination of
breastmilk, solids, formula and liquids below 4 months. Only 14% are
receiving breastmilk and infant formula only. Looking at the socio-economic
data to date there is a probability that some of the mothers in the sample
may be malnourshed. Are they feeding frequently? I can't answer that but
judging by the other foods and liquids being given possibly not. What I can
tell you is that due to the economic crises in Indonesia recent stat from
UNICEF indicate that malnutrition has risen markedly.

Additionally exclusive breastfeeding rates in Asia and Africa are generally
poorer than many folk imagine.I would hazzard a guess that if women are not
exclusively breastfeeding, their babies are not suckling frequently.

Kind Regards and take care of yourself

Mandy O'Reilly


Cheers

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html