Factors influencing lactation performance in rural Gambian mothers

Abstract

Breast-milk consumption has been measured in a rural African community in which breast-feeding on demand is universally practised until the baby is 18 mos old. The mother's long-term capacity for breast-milk production is determined by the end of the second month of lactation, yield being closely correlated with the infant's birth-weight. Other factors significantly influencing output were parity, month of lactation, baby's weight-for-age, season, and maternal diet. Daily milk consumption was limited primarily by the amount delivered per feed, not the frequency of feeding.

PIP: An observational study was conducted in a rural community in Gambia to determine the amounts of milk produced by lactating mothers at different stages of infancy. Women were consistent in their lactation capacity over the period of the study, this capacity being established by the 2nd month of lactation. The lactation capacity was also consistent with the birth weight of the infants. Daily milk consumption by the infants was limited mainly by the amount delivered per feeding, not by the frequency of feedings since all of these infants were on a demand feeding schedule. Only for 1st babies did the milk intake rise beyond the 3rd month, meeting the increased nutritional needs of the growing child. All later parity children reduced energy intake from milk over time. Breast milk output varied seasonally, varying with the adequacy of maternal diet.