[To what extent is breast feeding practiced in Italy today?].
OBJECTIVE
During a survey regarding infant health in 7 regions, diffusion and length of time of breast-feeding nowadays in Italy were studied.


METHODS
By OMS Epi methodology, 210 children sampled from each area of study and specialized health workers carried out the interviews at home using a specific questionnaire. The mothers were questioned about the length of time they breast fed their child.


RESULTS
76% of mothers said they breastfed, 32% said they did it for less than 3 months and 44% for more. In each area, the percentage of breastfeeding was 70% or more. This percentage changed only if the birth weight was very low or the mothers' instruction was high, but this is probably because the most cultured mothers answered easier they breast fed longer.


CONCLUSIONS
It seems that mothers are pro-breastfeeding and, in each region, just a quarter of them don't practise it. Besides, about half women breastfed for more than 3 months. This study doesn't permit us to know why some women don't breastfeed or why they wean their children too early. For this reason, we need to curry out further studies.
Manfredi Selvaggi
T M
TM
Osservatorio Epidemiologico Regione Molise.
Tozzi
A E
AE
Carrieri
M P
MP
Binkin
N
N
Lo Monaco
R
R
D'Errico
M
M
Filippetti
F
F
D'Argenio
P
P
Cafaro
L
L
Salmaso
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001722:Birth Order; D001724:Birth Weight; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012494:Sampling Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014886:Weaning
Quanto è praticato oggi l'allattamento al seno in Italia.