INTRODUCTION:

The Portuguese rate of exclusive breastfeeding is lower than recommended by National and International entities. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding, at maternity discharge, and during the babies first two months of life.

METHODOLOGY:

A retrospective study was done on a sample of healthy children born in our hospital from April to November 2019. Data regarding the babies feeding mode was obtained from parents at the babies outpatient visit.

RESULTS:

Of a total of 159 babies studied, exclusive breastfeeding occurred in 80.5% at maternity discharge. This value decreased to 69.7% (p=0.019) in those born by cesarean section. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding during the second month of life occurred in 59.7% of the sample (p<0.001) although no significant difference was shown to occur for the different modes of birth.

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS:

Birth by cesarean section has a significant negative influence on exclusive breastfeeding at maternity discharge. Family support after maternity discharge is of primordial importance as is the continual staff training.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although less prevalent than recommended, exclusive breastfeeding in our sample was in the published reference range for Portugal. It’s improvement is dependent on a clinical strategy taking into account the different birth modes and the implementation of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative.

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