Abstract

PIP: A series of national sample surveys conducted in Thailand between 1969 and 1979 provide documentation of the trends and differentials in breastfeeding practices among Thai women. The results indicate a moderate and relatively steady decline in the duration of breastfeeding among both rural and urban women in different educational categories. Urban/rural differences in breastfeeding practices are prominent throughout the period covered by the analysis. Moreover, there is a negative association between the use of mdoern health services for delivery and breastfeeding, especially in urban areas. Despite the reduction in the average duration of breastfeeding, both infant mortality and marital fertility have continued to decline concurrently with the shifts in infant feeding practices.