Breast-feeding in Decline

Infantile Overnutrition in the First Year of Life: A Field Study in Dudley, Worcestershire

“…The incidence of breastfeeding has declined (Newson and Newson, 1962) and solid food is introduced at an increasingly early age (Black, 1971). It is suspected that the present feeding practices may lead to overfeeding in babies.…”

Changing incidence of neonatal hypermethioninaemia: implications for the detection of homocystinuria.

“…No 'missed' cases of homocystinuria in the areas concerned have yet been brought to our notice but the disease may not be obvious in the early stages. Thus, it appears that the earlier moves away from breast feeding (Newson and Newson, 1962) and the tendency towards infantile overnutrition were conducive to the detection of homocystinuria by neonatal screening programmes which measured blood methionine concentration in early infancy. Ironically, better infant feeding practices necessitate a reassessment of the methods used to detect homocystinuria.…”

Lack of breast feeding and early weaning in infants of Asian immigrants to Wolverhampton.

“…Though only 4 volunteered the information spontaneously (because of previous experience) 16 mothers (38%) agreed that a fear of insufficient milk was important to them. Newson and Newson (1962) concluded from their study in Nottingham that 'not enough milk' was the public excuse for a private decision not to continue with breast feeding. Some of the mothers we interviewed may have made such decisions which are perfectly legitimate, providing those making them are in possession of all the relevant facts.…”

“…The incidence and duration of breast feeding has relentlessly declined (Newson and Newson, 1962), solid food has been introduced earlier and earlier to the infant (Department of Health and Social Security, 1974). These practices have led to an increased incidence of undesirable consequences, including neonatal tetany (Oppe and Redstone, 1968), enamel hypoplasia of the teeth (Stimmler, Snodgrass, and Jaffe, 1973), hyperosmolarity (Taitz and Byers, 1972; Davies, 1973), gastroenteritis (Mata and Wyatt, 1971), and infantile and possibly later obesity (Shukla et al, 1972;Asher, 1966;Eid, 1970).…”