Abstract

SANABRIA, Marta et al. Profile ofmaternal breastfeeding infour public referense neonatal center. Rev. bol. ped. [online]. 2005, vol.44, n.2, pp.131-135. ISSN 1024-0675.

Objective: To determine the profile of maternal breast feeding (MBF) in the prenatal and puerperal periods in four public, reference neonatal centers. Methods: Transverse, multicentric, descriptive designo Three hundred twenty eight puerperal women were polled in the Hospital Barrio Obrero and the San Lorenzo, San Pablo and Fernando de la Mora Children's Hospitals from June to September, 2001. The Lactamat 3.3 program of the Mother and Child Department of the Province of Buenos Aires was used. Variables studied: mother's age, days in hospital, type of delivery, room sharing by mother and child, prevalence of exclusive MBF, prenatal care of the nipples, counseling on the benefits of EMBF, observation of position and holding of the neonate. Results: Average age of the mothers was 24 years (range 14-41), prenatal check-ups 5.4 (0-15), days in hospital: 2 (244). Most (58%) of delivery were vaginal and 42% were by Csection. In the prenatal period, only 39% of mothers received counseling on how to care for the nipples. Most, 73.5%, of mothers offered the breast to the child in the first hour, and 69.5 received instructions on the benefits of MBF. Eighty three percent of mothers gave maternal breast feeding exclusively. However, 58% of mothers do not receive guidance concerning were to go for help in case of difficulties with breast feeding. Thirty nine percent of neonates did not have the neck straight; 29% did not have the body held close lo the mother; 27% did not have the body turned toward the mother, and 23% did not have full body support. Concerning signs of holding, the following were observed: 44% of neonates did not touch the maternal breast with the chin, 31% did not have the mouth fully open: 41% did not have the lip everted and in 46% less areola was visible above the mouth. Conclusions: Opportunities to teach about the benefits of MBF and about breast care during prenatal check-ups are frequently lost. There are difficulties in the correct technique of breast feeding. Training of mothers on breast feeding techniques is needed, as is follow-up to encourage exclusive MBF on release from hospital.

Keywords : Maternal breast feeding; exclusive maternal breast feeding.

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