Lactation, birth spacing and maternal work loads among two castes in rural nepal

Abstract

The nursing behaviour of rural Nepali women, from two castes inhabiting the same village, is quantified on the basis of 2202 hr of continuous and direct day-time observation over l year. Feed duration, interval, total time and daily frequency are examined in relation to women's work, particularly the type of subsistence activity and seasonality. ‘Opportunity’ feeds are governed both by infant demands and maternal activity. Caste differences in birth intervals are also discussed. © 1991, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.