Port Moresby infant feeding survey

An infant feeding survey was carried out in Port Moresby covering 136 mothers in order to determine the extent of artificial feeding in an urban area, and the effect of this method of feeding on the nutritional status of the infant. Over one third of the infants seen were artificially fed, out of which 69% were malnourished, compared with 26% of the breast fed infants. It is recommended that steps be taken by the Department of Health to control the free sale of bottles and teats to mothers.