Breast-feeding trends, patterns and policies in Thailand

Abstract

Thailand is in a relatively advantageous position compared with most other countries in the region with respect to data to document trends and patterns of breast-feeding and related infant feeding practices. Relevant questions, even if not always strictly comparable, have been included in a series of nationally representative surveys conducted during the last two decades. The information provided by these surveys makes clear that a trend towards a decline in the duration of breast-feeding was underway during the decade of the 1970s, but that during the 1980s the decline halted. In addition, the proportion initiating breastfeeding was high throughout the two-decade period and appears to have recently increased to the point where, at the national level, it is now close to universal.