[Rooming-in and breast feeding]

The advantages and psychological value of breast feeding to both mother and infant have been rediscovered in recent years. With the purpose of studying in detail the relationship between brease feeding and socio-cultural level of the mother the authors investigated 400 new mothers in the maternal health center of Lanus Argentina an institution which promotes and encourages rooming-in. 250 additional mothers from private practices were also investigated as controls. The socioeconomic level of the family was defined according to educational level of the mother profession of both parents type of home and place of residence. It was discovered that level of instruction of the mother did not influence the frequency or the duration of breast feeding. It was also discovered that strong motivation was the most important factor for breast feeding and that most mothers needed support and encouragement from their partner families and especially from the hospital personnel. Many mothers were not aware of the enormous advantages to their babies of breast feeding both nutritionally and psychologically. A campaign of education on the value of maternal lactation would be a welcome addition to the health programs of any country. (Summary in ENG)