Food beliefs and practices among Sri Lankans. 3. estate sector

Food avoidances during pregnancy and lactation and weaning practices among 300 mothers in estates in the Districts of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya have been studied. Although several comparisons are seen between practices among these mothers and those in South India, food taboos have less influence on the diet among Sri Lankan estate workers than among those in South India, probably due to the greater accessability to clinics and hospitals on estates. The reasons given for avoidances are the "hot-cold" nature of food, their possible effect on the course of the pregnancy, on discharge of lochia after delivery and the effects on quantity and quality of milk secreted. Most mothers start breast-feeding within 48 hours after delivery and about one-third continue partial breast-feeding beyond the second year. Bread and biscuits are the first solid foods to be fed, most infants being fed rice towards the end of the first year.