Breastfeeding in Vietnam: poverty, tradition, and economic transition.

Breastfeeding's crucial role in infant health is almost universally recognized. Although nearly all Vietnamese women initiate breastfeeding and duration is lengthy, infant growth faltering and malnutrition are widespread. Based on an analysis of in-depth interviews, observation in hospitals, and the available literature, the paper argues that complacency about breastfeeding in Vietnam is unwarranted. Discussion focuses on the principal influences on infant feeding in Vietnam, among them poverty, rapid socio-economic change, marketing by formula manufacturers, and some traditional perceptions about childbirth. The conclusion considers possible directions for breastfeeding promotion to address these multiple influences.