[Gynecologists-obstetricians and pediatricians: knowledge and experience concerning breast feeding]

The objective of this study was to identify the level of knowledge and the experience towards breastfeeding of medical personnel (obstetricians and pediatricians) in two private hospitals in Metropolitan San Juan, Puerto Rico. An exploratory research design was used for the study. The studied population consisted of obstetricians and pediatricians practicing in those hospitals. The sample was non-probabilistic and was selected according to availability for participation among the physicians who visited those hospitals in June 1997. The sample was made up of 55 physicians (29 pediatricians and 26 obstetricians). Descriptive statistics, crosstab tables, chi square and Fisher Exact tests were used to establish association between the physician's specialty and his/her knowledge and experience on breastfeeding. It was found that both the pediatricians and the obstetricians studied had lack of knowledge in areas related to breastfeeding and little practical experience in the management of breastfeeding.