[Maternal attitude to breast feeding and difficulties in the immediate puerperium]

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.

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

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

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.

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.