Breastfeeding in a strict or flexible scheme: information given by mothers after delivery

Abstract

This work analyses information given by mothers about the way newborns should be breastfed. 76 mothers in Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto - USP were interviewed under the directions of an outline composed of open questions and the answers were recorded on tape. It was possible to conclude that a flexible self-demand scheme is usually followed since that was the answer given by 65 (85,53%) mothers. 91,10% of the justifications given were based on up-to date literature and hunger expressed by the baby's cry was one of the most frequently used arguments. Of the 11 (14,47%) mothers who choose a strict scheme, 5 justify the procedure by having the Nursery as a basis.