[Breast feeding ; follow up during the puerperium]

In a prospective longitudinal study carried out in the Ginecoobstetric Department of the HGZ 6 Cd. Valles S.L.P., from March 1st to July 15th 1995. One hundred patient were evaluated 24 h after puerperium (in hospital), and 20 and 40 days later at home. With the objective to determine the continuity of lactancy, because all mothers were informed and trained about the benefits of human milk. 31% of the pregnancies were cesarean section and 69% vaginal. A lost of continuity was found in 43% at 20 days and 44% at 40 days. The incidence of respiratory and diarrheic diseases were evaluated with mother milk and artificial formulate (No significant p > 0.5%). The reason for ending the lactancy are cultural and behavior distortion about the benefits of human milk, this is necessary to change to enforce the values of this natural resource.