Occasionally in situations of maternal illness, death, or failed milk supply, a relative or other village women assume breastfeeding responsibility. However, such infants are frequently just sustained on cow's milk. It is rare for women to be unable to breast feed. Practically all mothers breast feed. It is almost unheard of for there to be significant breastfeeding problems except in the case of very ill mothers.
Infants are breastfed until two or three years of age.
Prolonged breast feeding is seen as nutritionally beneficial and recognized as a form of birth control. If the infant shows interest, small amounts of soft food are continued. If not, solid foods will again intermittently be introduced until the infant appears ready. They formula feed in public yet often breast feed at home, especially at night. It is more convenient, especially in public, since there are strong taboos against bare breasts.