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