Breast-feeding in Central Java

Abstract

Earlier studies have documented long periods of breast-feeding in Central Java accompanied by long periods of sexual abstinence. Information on breast-feeding collected prospectively in rural Central Java between 1976 and 1978 is analysed by proportional hazards regression techniques. Only age at confinement and education enter the final model as explanatory variables for the duration of breast-feeding. A mechanism of weaning is identified whereby an initial stage of breast-feeding is protected by sexual abstinence, while weaning itself is ultimately precipitated by another pregnancy. The initial period of sexual abstinence is not rigorously observed by women with at least completed primary schooling, although there is evidence to suggest that some have replaced sexual abstinence with contraception.