Determinants of Milk Choice in Infant Feeding among Urban Liberian Mothers

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Periodical article

Title:	Determinants of Milk Choice in Infant Feeding among Urban Liberian Mothers
Author:	David, Magdalene S.
Year:	1987
Periodical:	Liberian Studies Journal
Volume:	12
Issue:	2
Pages:	117-134
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Liberia
Subjects:	breastfeeding baby food Women's Issues Health and Nutrition Cultural Roles Health, Nutrition, and Medicine Women and Their Children
Abstract:	The 'modernization' model explains declining breastfeeding rates in developing countries in terms of the ongoing processes of urbanization and modernization occurring as a result of contact with Western influences such as technology, the promotional activities of baby milk manufactures, increased female participation in the work force, the perception of female breasts as a symbol of sexuality, prestige emulation, the breakdown of supporting social networks that traditionally promoted breastfeeding, and the Western orientation of formalized health services. The applicability of the 'modernization' model is tested on data collected during a 1983-1984 survey of mothers living in four Liberian cities. The model was found to be useful mainly in terms of offering a macrosocial description of changes in infant feeding practices. However, it appears to be unable to capture the dynamics of the process of change in breastfeeding patterns, in which internal forces, such as belief systems and the changing needs of women, as well as external forces are at play. Bibliogr., notes, ref.