Are breastfeeding patterns in Pakistan changing?
Khan, Z.
Pakistan Development Review 30(3): 297-311
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-9729 PMID: 12285106 DOI: 10.2307/41259470Document Number: 318225
In Pakistan, where the birth rate is already very high and the use of contraceptives limited, any reduction in the breast-feeding period may result in an increase of the birth rate. This study was undertaken to find out the recent changes in the breast-feeding pattern and their potential impact on the fertility levels in Pakistan. The data for this study are based on two National Fertility Surveys: the 1975 Pakistan Fertility Survey and the 1979 Population, Labour Force, and Migration Survey. The estimation of the mean duration of breast-feeding is based on a measure developed by Mosley (1982), given by the formula Y=BiN, where Y = estimate of duration of breast-feeding, B = total number of children currently being breast-fed, N = the average number of births per month. Taking mother's age, parity, place of residence, education, and occupation as background variables, the findings are as follows: (1) a decline of about 4 months occurs in the average length of lactation; (2) age of mother is positively associated with the duration of breast-feeding; (3) urban women have shorter periods of breast-feeding; (4) women working on farms have longer periods of breast-feeding; (5) a slight increase in fertility is due to the decline in breast-feeding and the decrease in the use of contraceptives. It is suggested that breast-feeding be promoted among Pakistani mothers to reduce the birth rate.