BELIEFS AND PRACTICES IN INFANT-FEEDING AMONG THE WAGOGO OF CHIGONGWE(DODOMA RURAL DISTRICT), TANZANIA .1. BREAST-FEEDING

Research conducted among the Wagogo of Tanzania has revealed a wide ra nge of beliefs and practices associated with breastfeeding. Prolonged breastfeeding remains widespread in the community studied. Infants are nursed on demand, for comfort as well as nutrition. The local concept of breastfeeding places emphasis on events that can cause a shift in the mother's milk in both breasts or in only one during the lactation period. New pregnancy and sexual intercourse with men apart from the h usband are the most important causes believed to change the mother's m ilk to endanger the baby's life. The different quality of women's milk (''good'' milk, ''bad'' milk), and the identification of causes for t hem are the keys to comprehension of a large part of Gogo women's beha viour in infant feeding. Data collected underline that breastfeeding i s a process, an act of culture and a social experience.