[Study on breast feeding in a suburban area]

Human milk is considered the best nourishment a child can have during his first months of life, providing that it exists in sufficient amount. In a study of the feeding characteristics in suburban areas of Mexico City, it was found that 71 mothers would continue to breast-feed their children up to the twelfth month. Supplemental feeding began during the first four months with: fruit, vegetables, eggs, meat and in final stages, soups and cereals. The great majority of the mothers thought that human milk is the ideal food for their babies. The medical concept about breast-feeding in the suburban areas of Mexico City is mistaken, due to information based on foreign studies contrary to national reality. In spite of the widespread belief that breast-feeding has decreased in frequency, in this study it was found that it is still popular and commonplace. We recommend that through all information sources, the inestimable value of human milk as an ideal nourishment, due to its nutritional, economical, psychological and hygienic properties, should be emphasized.