Abstract

Professional support is important for women during pregnancy, but more research is needed to provide a better understanding of how this support affects the mother's experience of support and breast-feeding behavior the first days after birth and its relation to the duration of breastfeeding.  This study aims to evaluate the effects of a professional support during pregnancy in relation to mothers’ perceived support at delivery and maternity ward, and on the number of breastfeeding sessions during the first three days after birth. These factors would be subsequently considered in relation to the duration of breastfeeding. Mothers in the Intervention Group  (IG) and Control Group B  (CGB) (November 2000 to April 2002) perceived significant better overall support, breastfeeding information and preparation for parenting from the professionals in the delivery and  maternity wards compared with the Control Group A (CGA) (April to October 2000), (p<0.001), (n = 540). The IG showed a higher frequency of breastfeeding sessions in the first 24 h compared with the mothers in the CGB (p<0.008) and a positive correlation between preparation for the parental role and duration of exclusive breastfeeding (p = 0.006). 

Key words: Education, breastfeeding, support, mother, health professionals