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Metas de Enfermería

Metas de Enfermería

MARZO 2015 N° 2 Volumen 18

Breastfeeding. Factors associated with initiation, exclusivity and duration

Section: Featured Articles

How to quote

Reverté Simó M, Aguirre Fernández MI, Álvarez Diez P, Barcos San Andrés S, Millán Capacés T. Lactancia materna. Factores relacionados con la iniciación, la exclusividad y la duración. Metas Enferm mar 2015; 18(2): 69-75.

Authors

Montserrat Reverté Simó, María Isabel Aguirre Fernández, Paula Álvarez Diez, Sagrario Barcos San Andrés, Teresa Millán Capacés

Position

Enfermeras. Instituto Catalán de la Salud, EAP Trinitat Vella (Barcelona).

Contact address

Montserrat Reverté Simó. Vía Barcino, 88. 08033 Barcelona.

Contact email: mrevertes@gencat.cat

Abstract

Objective: to learn about the prevalence of breastfeeding (BF) initiation, its exclusivity and duration, the factors with an impact on its choice, maintenance or discontinuation, and the types of healthcare intervention received.
Method: a descriptive transversal study on BF for children under paediatric follow-up in four Primary Care Centers in Barcelona. The study included 495 children when their age was between 10 and 19 months.
Results: a 92.3% of mothers had the previous intention to initiate BF. Out of these, 89.5% breastfed their children, and 46.3% continued BF beyond six months. The main reason for BF discontinuation could not be identified, because it was unspecific, though in 12.9% of cases it was discontinued when mothers returned to work. The main problems with breastfeeding were: hypogalactia for 15.6%, followed by cracked nipples in 13.8% of cases.
Conclusions: almost all women preferred BF. Exclusive breastfeeding was followed by a lower number than in the overall results in Catalonia. Previous intention helped more women to breastfeed and for a longer time. Postpartum education was effective to maintain breastfeeding. The specific main reason for BF discontinuation was not identified.

Keywords:

breastfeeding; breastfeeding initiation; exclusive breastfeeding; Primary Care

Versión en Español

Título:

Lactancia materna. Factores relacionados con la iniciación, la exclusividad y la duración