Data from the Thai Demographic and Heaith Survey, conducted in 1987, provide new information on trends in breastfeeding, child-based estimates of breastfeeding differentials, and various aspects of infant feeding practices in Thailand. The findings confirm evidence from earlier surveys that the decline in the duration of breastfeeding evident during the 1970s has come largely to a standstill in the 1980s. In addition, the proportion initiating breastfeeding while high throughout the period, has increased to the point where, at the national level, it is now close to universal. These changes in breastfeeding trends coincide with a variety of efforts, primarily undertaken or coordinated by the Ministry of Public Health, to promote breastfeeding and discourage the use of breast milk substitutes. While substantial socioeconomic differentials still exist with respect to the duration of breastfeeding, initiation is common even among the groups that breastfeed for the shortest period of time.

Breastfed children are commonly given supplemental foods or liquids at very early ages. It is common to breastfeed children relatively frequently during the day and evening. Bottles with nipples are used to provide supplementary food to breastfed children by a substantial proportion of mothers. Most use of bottles with breastfed children is not for the provision of infant formula but for other types of supplemental food.

The impact of infant feeding practices on the health of children and the importance of encouraging breastfeeding has gained increased recognition during recent years. Breast milk is more nutritious, more hygienic, and cheaper than bottle-feeding and, in addition, confers immunities to infants against common infections. Moreover breastfeeding promotes healthy birth spacing. While breastfeeding is advantageous the world over, it is particularly important in the Third World where families are generally poorer, health services less adequate, and the general health environment more hazardous. Thus UNICEF has made the promotion of breastfeeding one of the major components of its strategy to improve child survival (Grant, 1988).

In contrast to the situation in most developing countries, data on infant feeding practices at the national level in Thailand have been relatively abumdant as a result of a series of surveys conducted during the last two decades. The Thai Demographic and Health Survey, conducted in 1987, now provides additional information permitting an updated assessment of recent trends and provides new information on several aspects of infant feeding that has not been available from previous surveys.