Breast-feeding patterns and correlates in Shaanxi, China

Breast-feeding is almost universal and lengthy in China, especially in less developed areas (SSB, 1986; Tu, 1989a). Breast-feeding serves as an effective means of birth spacing in traditional Chinese society where the reproductive potential is enormous owing to early and universal marriage. It also provides protection against malnutrition and infectious diseases that is very important for child survival, especially in rural areas where access to modern medical facilities is quite limited and infant formulas are not available (Tu, 1989a).