© 1981 by Oxford University Press
research-article |
Lactation Performance of Akamba Mothers, Kenya. Breast Feeding Behaviour, Breast Milk Yield and Composition
Royal Tropical Institute Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Medical Research Centre Nairobi, Kenya
Studies in breast milk yield, as measured by the test weighing technique, were carried out in the lean season and the post harvest season of the staple food maize in a rural community in Kenya. A total of 85 mothers at different stages of lactation have been examined. Breast feeding was practised until 18–24 months. The average yield per 24 hours for the seasons combined was 778 ml at 0–1 month and 301 ml at 18–23 months.
Yields measured in the harvest season correspond with reported yields from the US and Europe. In the lean season yields were less, particularly in the first 5 months of lactation. During the period of true demand feeding, i.e. the first 4 months, day and night volumes were comparable. Thereafter, infants were suckled more frequently during the night. Since the amount of milk per feed did not differ over the 24 hours, older infants received more milk during the night.
As far as breast milk composition is concerned, protein content was comparable to values from industrialized countries; the content of fat, calcium, retinol and riboflavin were lower, that of beta carotene, thiamine and ascorbic acid were higher. In the fatty acid composition, relatively high values of lauric acid and myristic acid were recorded.
The results indicate that the lactation capacity of the Akamba mothers was comparable to that of well-nourished, healthy mothers in the US and Europe. The causes of seasonal variation in breast milk yield remain to be elucidated.