SANTIAGO, Luciano B. et al. Promotion of breastfeeding: the importance of pediatricians with specific training. []. , 44, 1, pp.49-57. ISSN 1024-0675.

Objectives: To study the factors involved in the maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding in healthy infants during the first 4 months of life, with emphasis on the role of pediatricians. Material and methods: A longitudinal study was carried out with 101 healthy term babies at a pediatrics outpatient clinic in Uberaba, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The babies were divided at random into three groups: G1, receiving advice from a multiprofessional breastfeeding team; G2, receiving advice from a pediatrician trained in breastfeeding; and G3, receiving advice from a pediatrician with no breastfeeding training. Group randomization was confirmed by analysis of variance. The factors involved in the type of feeding at 4 months were analyzed by the chi-square test, by analysis of variance and by multiple variable analysis. Results: At the end of follow-up, Groups 1 and 2 showed similar percentages with respect to exclusive breastfeeding. In addition, the percentage of exclusively breastfed babies in Groups 1 and 2 was significantly higher than in Group 3 (p = 0.002). The use of a pacifier was negatively correlated with exclusive breastfeeding (p = 0.003). More maternal schooling increased the chance of exclusive breastfeeding at 4 months (p = 0.041). Conclusion: In this study, a pediatrician who was prepared and motivated to encourage breastfeeding performed similarly to a multiprofessional breastfeeding team in terms of promoting exclusive breastfeeding until 4 months.

: Breastfeeding; pacifiers; educational level; pediatrics; medical education.

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