REVERSAL OF THE DECLINE IN BREAST-FEEDING IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA - ETHNIC AND EDUCATIONAL DIFFERENTIALS AND DATA QUALITY ISSUES

Data from the First and Second Malaysian Family Life Surveys in 1976 a nd 1988, respectively, are analyzed to examine long-term trends in bre astfeeding in Peninsular Malaysia. educational and ethnic differences therein, and the quality of retrospective data on infant feeding. The steady decrease between the mid-1950's and mid-1970's in breastfeeding was reversed to become a nearly monotonic increase since 1975. Part o f the change is attributable to the changing composition of the Malays ian population. Over time, the percentages of births to subgroups with higher rates of breastfeeding-particularly Malays and more highly edu cated women-have increased. However, there is also evidence of changes in rates of breastfeeding within these subgroups. Many Malaysian infa nts have a total duration of breastfeeding (including with supplementa tion) considerably shorter than WHO's recommended four months of exclu sive (unsupplemented) breastfeeding. Moreover, nearly all breasted inf ants are first given supplementary food or beverage shortly after birt h. Breastfeeding promotion efforts in Malaysia need to emphasize the a ppropriate timing of and types of supplementary feeding.