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In large epidemiologic studies, information on breastfeeding practice is often collected from maternal recall through interviews, but there is concern about the accuracy of the data, especially when mothers are asked to recall their practices from many years earlier. This review examines the validity and reliability of maternal recall of breastfeeding history using 11 studies published between 1966 and 2003 in English with a sample of 10 or more. Validity is the degree to which recall compares with a validation standard or reference, and reliability refers to the degree to which the breastfeeding practices obtained by recall are repeatable over time. The existing studies suggest that maternal recall is a valid and reliable estimate of breastfeeding initiation and duration, especially when the duration of breastfeeding is recalled after a short period (⩽3 years). Validity and reliability of maternal recall for the age at introduction of food and fluids other than breast milk are less satisfactory. Further and more extensive studies on maternal recall of breastfeeding history and ways to improve such recall are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summarizes the results of studies which compared infant growth by different method of feeding in developing countries. Discussion on the effects of infant feeding on growth during and after the first six months of life; Review of the factors associated with growth faltering in the weaning period; Findings on the effect of prolonged breast feeding.

Discusses the factors associated with the relationship between breast feeding and infant nutrition. Information on physical growth and development; Results of studies on obesity; Cases of undernutrition and anemia.

Two surveys in Upper and Lower rural Egypt allowed an analysis of the seasonality of infant feeding. The first, including 937 children, was conducted during the relatively cool season of low diarrhea incidence in January-April 1978; the second, including 976 children, took place during the hot season of high diarrhea incidence in August-September 1980. Of infants 6-11 mo old, the proportion exclusively breast-feeding was greater in the hot-season survey (40% vs 16% in Lower Egypt, p < 0.01; 36% vs 22% in Upper Egypt, p < 0.01). Of children 12-17 mo old, a higher proportion were completely weaned during the hot season in Lower Egypt only (28% vs 14%, p < 0.01). This difference was explained by an increase in pregnancy rates during the hot season resulting in less breast-feeding. Seasonal variation must be considered in the interpretation of infant-feeding surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT. Breast-feeding is an important determinant of the health and nutritional status of children, particularly in lower socioeconomic populations. A major goal of the Georgia Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is to increase the practice of breast-feeding among the women it serves. Breast-feeding practices were determined among a random sample of 404 women from a cohort of 2010 who attended WIC prenatal clinics in Georgia in 1986 and were expected to deliver in February 1987. Respondents were interviewed 6 months postpartum. Of these women, 24% initially breast-fed, but only 6% continued for 6 months or longer. The initiation of breast-feeding was associated with greater maternal education and with being roamed. The adjusted odds of breast-feeding for mothers who were married or living as married were 3.0 (95% confidence interval, 1.7 to 5.3) times greater than for mothers who were not married or living as married. Mothers with more than 12 years, 12 years, or 10 to 11 years of education were 5.2 (1.8 to 15.3), 2.7 (1.0 to 6.9), and 2.5 (0.9 to 6.9) times more likely, respectively, to breast-feed than mothers with 9 or fewer years of education. After adjustment was made for marital status and education, the remaining variables (ethnicity, parity, age, and employment status) did not influence the initiation of breast-feeding in this low-income population. The need for vigorous promotion of breast-feeding by the Georgia WIC program is emphasized by the low rate of initiation and short duration of breast-feeding in this low-income population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]