Breast Feeding Among Well-to-do Singaporeans

Although there has been a substantial decline in the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding in Singapore since the 1st survey in 1951 poor and well-to-do mothers have shown quite different patterns. This study examines the present incidence and to some extent the present duration of breastfeeding among well-to-do Singaporeans; and it attempts to identify the major influences on infant feeding by this economic class. Specific comparisons are made with results from a companion study on poor mothers. About 60% of this sample of well-to-do Singaporean mothers initiated breastfeeding. This figure compared unfavorably with the 85-90% recorded for mothers of the same economic class in the early 1950s but favorably with the 36% found for poor mothers. The proportion of breastfeeders increased with the number of years of formal schooling; and among ethnic communities Malays and Indians favored breastfeeding far more than did Chinese. Poor and well-to-do mothers in Singapore now differ substantially in their infant feeding practices with wealthier women generally showing more enlightened behavior. The initiation and particularly the duration of breastfeeding is still unacceptably low in both groups. The difference between economic groups suggests that this value can be improved substantially through education; and the differences among ethnic groups indicate that the primary target for any breastfeeding programs should be Chinese mothers.