TITLE:
Breastfeeding Recommendations. Pediatricians Mexicans Survey
AUTHORS:
H. Reyes-Vázquez, C. Lopez-Enriquez, F. Bribiesca-Godoy, A. Espinosa-Aguilera, B. M. Morfin-Maciel, N. E. Martínez-Aguilar
KEYWORDS:
Breastfeeding, Pediatricians, Recommendations, Promotion, Contraindications
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.6 No.5,
May
9,
2019
ABSTRACT: Objective: To know recommendations on breastfeeding by Mexican pedia-tricians. Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted through a survey of Mexican pediatricians. Results: Two hundred and fifty-four pedi-atricians (range 27 to 72 years) were surveyed. Most of them worked in public hospital or private practice or both. Among them 94.5% recom-mended newborn early contact with mother and 54.3% rooming. Exclusive breastfeeding was suggested by 89.8%, out of them 51.9% for 6 months. Breastfeeding on demand was counseled by 88.2% and 84.6% without fixed schedules. Pacifier use was rejected by 86.6%. 51.2% used iron supplements and 59.5% used other vitamins. Stopping breastfeeding in special situations was suggested by 87.4%; of them, 86.6% in case of infection with AIDS; 74.4% if the mother used drugs; 74.4% by infection with hepatitis B virus; 49.6% in case of mastitis; 17.3% in newborns with jaundice; and 18.5% in other situations. Finally, 93.3% of pediatricians surveyed reported interest in breastfeeding; 54.7% obtained information in medical journals; 54.7% through medical courses, and 31.9% in books. 58.3% of respondents oriented on breastfeeding according to WHO recommendations; 31.5% did so regularly and 10.2% did not. Conclusions: Pediatricians play a major role in breastfeeding promotion, but their formation is scarce and they are not prepared to counsel patients. Governments of developing countries should promote breastfeeding to ensure the health and proper development of infants.