Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Crockpot2001]

OK, this might elicit giggles from some but it's rather important to me.
Another thread mentioned that non-fat milk can be found in the baby formula section. This made me wonder just how prevalent breastfeeding is in Korea. It's interesting to watch the decline in breastfeeding with the rise in wealth; this same thing is demonstrated in the Latino population that migrates to the US. As they become wealthier their impression of BF as "poor food" increases. They also get less family support for BF. I have a hard time imagining Korean men being supportive. Sorry for the stereotype, but I just can't imagine it.

Since being here 7 months I've seen no obvious sign of encouragement to BF, at least signs that don't require total understanding of Hongul. Anyone see anything different?



http://women-health-nursing.or.kr/kjwhn/abstract.html?left=left2&abstract=a2002424
Background & PURPOSE:Since the 1970's the rate of breast-feeding has decreased significantly. The Korean National Institute of Health reported that the rate of breastfeeding was 68.9% in 1982 and 14.1% in 1997. There are many influencing factors including: the lack of education and information on breast feeding, lack of faith in breast feeding, increment of the rate of working, lack of encouragement by supporters in difficult situations, and nurses' low level of knowledge about breast feeding.


http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/08/117_28686.html
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter

One in four Korean mothers breastfeeds her babies, far lower than other countries including Sweden and Japan where close to half of mothers do so.

According to the Planned Population Federation of Korea (PPFK), Korean mothers have begun to understand the importance of breastfeeding. In 1997, only 14.1 percent breastfed but the rate jumped to 24.2 percent in 2006. Still, this is lower than Sweden's 46 percent and Japan's 45 percent.

The benefits of breastfeeding are already well known. Breast milk contains various antibodies and prevents two major causes of infantile death ― acute respiratory organ infection and diarrhea ― according to the United Nations Children's Fund. The PPFK said breastfeeding could prevent at least 13 percent of deaths among children less than a year old.

[Huh Kyung-young]

Topic continues here: http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=134053