This article is only available in the PDF format. Download the PDF to view the article, as well as its associated figures and tables.
After a request from the executive committee of the British Pediatric Association in July 1942, a committee was formed to investigate breast feeding in the city of Birmingham, with special reference to its relation to female labor. We of the committee are greatly indebted to the health visitors (100) working in the department of maternity and child welfare. These visitors were asked to report on the babies born during the first quarter of 1941 and the first quarter of 1942.
Each health visitor was given a form setting out the information required, as detailed in the questionnaire, as follows:
First or later child?
Period of breast feeding?
Mother working or not during pregnancy?
If so, how long?
Mother working after confinement?
If so, how soon?
If not, is she anxious to commence or does she wish to postpone her return until the normal breast feeding