Investigar la incidencia y prevalencia de la lactancia materna y conocer los factores que influyen en la decisión materna

En la maternidad del hospital se pasó una encuesta a 200 familias. A los que recibían lactancia materna se les hizo un seguimiento mediante encuesta telefónica a los 15, 30, 90 y 180 días

El 78 % recibían lactancia materna exclusiva al alta. A los 15 días seguía el 89,7 % y a los 6meses el 39 %. La media de abandono fue 2,5 meses. La edad media de la madre que lacta es 30,2 años y la de artificial es del 27,9 años (p ≶ 0,05). Las madres toman la decisión del tipo de alimentación antes del embarazo (52,5 %). La información recibida preparto no cambia su decisión, excepto la procedente de su familia, sobre todo si ambos padres fueron amamantados por lactancia materna (p ≶ 0,05). El grado de información recibida de los médicos es bajo. El nivel de estudios no influye, aunque la tendencia es cuanto más alto sea éste, más lactancia materna (74,7% primarios frente a 81,5 % superiores). El trabajar o no, no influye (76 % de las que trabajan frente a 79 % de las que no). Los motivos principales de abandono fueron hipogalactia, “se queda con hambre„, y trabajo (14 %). El abandono en general lo decide la madre.

La información acerca de la lactancia materna que han derecibir las gestantes ha de basarse en criterios unificados. La puesta en marcha de protocolos conjuntos primaria-hospital y la creación de Grupos de ayuda a la lactancia facilita a las madres la decisión y el mantenimiento de ésta

To study the incidence and prevalence of breast-feeding and to determine the factors that influence the mother's decision to breast-feed or to use adapted milk

Two hundred families were included in a survey in thehospital's maternity department. Those who breast-fed were followed up by means of a telephone call on days 15, 30, 90, and 180

On leaving hospital 78 % of the neonates were receivingbreast milk only. After 15 days, 89.7 % of the neonates continued to receive breast milk and at 6 months this figure was 39 %. Breast-feeding was discontinued after a mean of 2.5 months. The mean age of mothers who breast-fed was 30.2 years and that of mothers using adapted milk was 27.9 years (p < 0.05). Mothers decided on the type of feeding before pregnancy (52.5 %). This decision was unchanged by prenatal information except in the case of information provided by the family, especially if both parents were breast-fed (p < 0.05). Doctors provided little information. The mother's level of education did not influence the decision to breast-feed although the higher the mother's education, the greater the tendency to breast-feed (74.7% with primary education vs 81.5 % with higher education). Being in paid employment did not influence the decision to breast- feed (76 % of mothers worked vs 79 % of mothers who did not). The main reasons for discontinuance were hypogalactia, "feeling hungry", and work. In general, giving up breast-feeding was the mother's decision

The information pregnant women receive on breast-feeding should be based on unified criteria. The implementation of joint protocols between primary and hospital care as well as breast-feeding support groups help mothers to begin and continue breast-feeding.