1990 Volume 56 Issue 6 Pages 317-322
Five hundreds fifty one specialists (45 doctors, 417 public health nurses, 76 nutritionsists, 12 dentists and dental hygienists) including one person of unknown profession of maternal and child health who are working in the health centers of Tokyo and Okinawa were interviewed on the guidance of feeding methods of infants, especially about terms used in its process, by mail questionnaire . About 80% of them use the term "dan-nyu" (weaning). Dentists and dental hygienists use more frequently this term than others. The meaning of this term is differently considered not only between the professions but also between specialists of the same profession. More than half of all specialists consider that the appropriate time of?gDan-nyu" is the completion of brest-feeding which is clearly defined as the time of introduction of supprementary food of two third of all infants intake. More than 40% of specialists frequently or sometimes consider that the clear definition of "dan-nyu" is needed.
