Characterization of breastfeeding in infants of the Basic Working Group 3

Abstract

Breastfeeding, unique process that provides the ideal nutrition for infants, shows a declining trend in recent years. Objective: to characterize breastfeeding in infants of the Basic Working Group 3 of the XX Aniversario Polyclinic. Material and Method: a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 171 six-month-old infants who attended the control consultation, from January to December 2008. Results: exclusive breastfeeding at six months was 26.9%; the main cause of abandonment of breastfeeding was hypogalactia, with 66.4%. Adolescent mothers and those who do not work did not offer exclusive breastfeeding. The 91.3% offered exclusive breastfeeding during the first hour after birth, and a history of infections were seen in 84% of those who did not exclusively breastfed. Conclusions: exclusive breastfeeding for six months is lower than recommended by the World Health Organization. The most common cause of giving it up was hypogalactia. Adolescence, the low level of education and being unemployed are risk factors for not offering exclusive breastfeeding. The timely initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour after birth was a protective factor of the exclusive breastfeeding. Offering exclusive breastfeeding is a protective factor against respiratory and gastrointestinal infections.

Keywords

• lactancia materna
• factores de riesgo
• trastornos de la lactancia/epidemiología