Quantity and composition of breast milk in Biak Island (Neth. New Guinea)
article
A quantitive examination was carried out of the production and composition of breast milk in Papuan mothers in Biak Island (Netherlands New Guinea). The physical condition of the lactating mothers was poor, as evidenced not only by physical examination but also by biological determinations. The diet was for the most part vegetarian; the daily intake of animal protein was extremely small. The baby is fed on demand. Supplementary food depends on the local taboos. Breast-feeding is continued well into the second year of life, in many cases into the third year. Twenty-four hour determinations were made in the field. The quantities of milk produced daily were smaller than in European women. On the whole the largest quantity was collected at 11 a.m. the smallest at 11 p.m. The nitrogen and calcium contents in the milk of Papuan women were smaller than those recorded in the literature and in the milk of Dutch women.
TNO Identifier
49731
Source
Tropical and geographic medicine, 2, pp. 138-144.
Pages
138-144
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