Conocimiento y práctica sobre la lactancia materna exclusiva en madres primigestas que acuden al Centro de Salud #4.

Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding is defined as the practice of feeding the newborn solely with breast milk for the first six months of life. This practice is essential for the baby's physical and emotional development, as well as for maternal health. Objective: To determine the knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding in primiparous mothers attending Health Center # 4. Design: Descriptive, prospective crosssectional. Population and sample: Consisted of 82 primiparous mothers. Technique: Indirect observation. Instrument: Knowledge and practice questionnaire. Result: 41% of the participants are between 23 - 27 years old, 55% are university students, 60% are working, only 32% have knowledge about breastfeeding, 15% have knowledge about nipple preparation, 79% are breastfeeding, 30% stated that they started breastfeeding due to family pressure and 30% abandoned exclusive breastfeeding due to returning to work. Conclusion: Knowledge and practice about breastfeeding contributes significantly to the continuity or own decision of the mother to provide exclusive breastfeeding, being the role of the health professional fundamental to implement educational and support strategies that strengthen this practice in first-time mothers.