>
>I received a request from someone who is helping a 15 year old street girl
>in Rumania. She wants to provide some food assistance so this girl can
>succesfully breastfeed her new baby. My request is: does anyone know what
>is seen as the basic requirements for breastfeeding in poorer countries?
>The recommendations that are given in America are just not appropriate in
>these settings. Any help someone can give would be appreciated, esp. those
>of you that have experience with poor populations.

The basic requirements are a baby and breasts.  That's all.  Malnourished
women all over the world successfully breastfeed their babies.  You have to
be extremely malnourished for the quantity of the milk to be affected, and
the quality is always maintained, at the expense of the mother's own body.
Probably this mom needs both calories and protein -- meat, eggs, milk,
beans.  Fresh fruits and vegetables would also be good.  High calorie foods
such as avocados and bananas, if available.  An easy way to provide
micronutrients and vitamins would be a one-a-day type multiple vitamin.  A
source of clean water.  Clothes to keep her and the baby warm as the weather
gets colder.  A safe place to sleep at night.  These are all necessary -- I
certainly wouldn't get bogged down worrying about how many calories or how
many grams of protein, etc.


Katherine A. Dettwyler, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Anthropology and Nutrition
Texas A&M University