Abstract
In 1974 the Department of Health and Social Security alerted the medical profession and the general public to the problems associated with the prevailing high levels of artificial feeding. As a result a campaign to promote breast feeding was initiated. This thesis reviews the history of infant feeding and the implications of the change from breast to bottle feeding. A survey of infant feeding practice was undertaken in a health district during 1977. The results showed that although sixty percent of the mothers attempted to breast feed less than half were successful. The mothers were subsequently interviewed and it was found that their choice of feeding method was either decided before, or very early in pregnancy, and that they did not necessarily seek professional advice. Those that did were most often advised by a health visitor or midwife at a clinic, antenatal class, or with pamphlets. Mothers from the manual social groups showed the greatest need for advice and were the least likely to find the classes or written material appealing. Failure of lactation was thought to be due to an insufficient milk supply and occurred during the first six weeks of the infant's life. Health visitors and midwives in district were asked for their views on the relative merits of breast and artificial feeding and the problems of establishing lactation. There was a consensus of opinion in favour of encouraging breast feeding, but a divergence on how to promote successful lactation. The concept of frequent demand feeding was not always accepted and complementary feeding was also advocated. Additionally there were differing views on the energy and fluid intake required by lactating mothers all of which resulted in some mothers receiving confusing or inappropriate advice.