Less Breast Feeding In N.Z., Too

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32379, 19 August 1970, Page 2

Less Breast Feeding In N.Z., Too

New Zealand mothers apparently share a world - wide declining enthusiasm for breast feeding. 1 * Plunket Society statistics for New Zealand show that about 47 per cent of mothers breast fed their babies in 1968. The number has been declining gradually for some years. In Christchurch last year the percentage was even lower. Of the 4166 newly-born babies visited by Plunket nurses in the district, 1666 were breast fed, 247 partly breast fed, and 2253 bottle fed.

The Plunket Society encourages mothers to breast feed whenever possible. However, it is careful not to be dogmatic so that mothers who do not breast feed do not feel inadequate.

It works closely with the La Leche League, which was formed in 1968 to promote breast feeding through a Series of discussion groups. Two groups are now working in Christchurch, and several new mothers attend each group. Many had several children and had not been successful in previous attempts to nurse, said the Christchurch president, Mrs Jennifer Wybourne, yesterday. She finds the approach that appeals most to young mothers is not one of “doing your duty” but of improving the quality of mothering. EDUCATION “It's generally true that the more educated woman in the United States, and in Britain, is more likely to breast feed. I get the impression this is probably true here, too, although there are women who

don't fit this pattern who make marvellous nursing mothers,” she said. The use of the contraceptive pill containing estrogen is considered to be a strong factor in the decline of breast feeding. “Doctors say estrogen reduces the quantity of the mother’s milk,” said Mrs Wybourne, “but this can be overcome by a baby who is will-

i ing to nurse a great deal i The sucking counteracts the i depressing effect of the estro- . gen. Not all babies and mothers are suited to this, but . there are other methods of I contraception." The Plunket Society, .the I Parents’ Centre, and the i Christchurch Women’s Hospital run ante-natal classes in i which talks on breast feeding i are included. The La Leche League has distributed a small booklet, attractively illustrated, , through the Plunket Society. Five thousand copies were ; printed in May, and orders ' have been received for another 6000. The league is waiting a second printing of . 10,000, and is considering having more printed. “The nurses are delighted with the booklet, so perhaps it will create more interest in ■ breast feeding in New Zea- ■ land,” said Mrs Wybourne.