[Maternal attitude to breast feeding and difficulties in the immediate puerperium].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the attitudes of women who have just given birth towards breast feeding according to their social class and level of education, as well as the problems arising during their stay in hospital, and the possible repercussions the latter might have.


METHODS
Transversal descriptive study, based on random sampling. SITE. The Maternity Unit of the "Marqués de Valdecilla" University Hospital, Santander.


METHODS
100 mothers of newborn babies chosen at random amongst those who had given birth vaginally to normal babies after a nine months pregnancy.


RESULTS
The results from the questionnaire show that: 35% derived their information on breast feeding from magazines, 25% from the psychoprophylactic obstetrician (PPO), 28% had no information. 60% of the sample took the decision to breast-feed before pregnancy, 21% during the pregnancy, and 6% after the birth. 78% of the children were fully documented at the hospital on: first time at the breast, frequency of feeds, glucose solution supplement. 60% of the mothers evidenced problems with their breasts. On leaving hospital, 83% were breast feeding.


CONCLUSIONS
To continue promoting breast feeding and helping mothers not to have so many problems at the beginning, we should use primary health attention, PPO courses and prenatal education as platforms for action, emphasising the importance of preventive care of the breast and breast-feeding technique. Hospitals should incorporate the international recommendations on initial lactation, with subsequent reinforcement during home visits and health centre appointments.
Calvo
B
B
Centro de Orientación Familiar La Cagiga, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander.
Millán
C
C
Alvarez
J D
JD
Devesa
R
R
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Actitud materna ante la lactancia natural y dificultades en el puerperio inmediato.