Lactation performance of Akamba mothers, Kenya. Breast feeding behaviour, breast milk yield and composition
1981
Van Steenbergen, Wil M. | Kusin, Jane A. | Van Rens, Maria M.
Breastfeeding habits and yield and chemical composition of breast milk from 85 Kenyan mothers were analyzed at different stages of lactation. Results indicated that these rural mothers were able to produce substantial amounts of milk of good nutritional quality for prolonged periods. Average 24-hour yields were 778 ml at 0-1 month, and 301 ml at 18-23 months. In the lean season, milk yields were below those of well-nourished, healthy Western mothers. Higher yields during the harvest season (indicated by increases in the milk consumed by the suckling infants at each feed) presumably were due to seasonal variations in lactation capacity. Breastfeeding was practiced until infants reached 18-24 months. After 4 months, infants were more frequently suckled at night. Protein content of the milk was comparable with values from industrialized countries; concentrations of fat, calcium, retinol, and riboflavin were lower, whereas contents of beta-carotene, thiamin, and ascorbic acid were higher. Analysis of breast milk fatty acid patterns revealed that linoleic acid values were normal. High values for lauric and myristic acids reflected the high carbohydrate and low fat diets of these mothers. (nm)
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