Revista de saúde pública
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Revista de saúde pública · Oct 2001
Multicenter Study[Assessment of the promotion of breastfeeding in public and private maternities of São Paulo city, Brazil].
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) carried out a study to compare and evaluate the practices of protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding in public and private hospitals using the "ten steps" of the Hospital Initiative (BFHI) as a reference parameter. ⋯ The present study shows that practices considered detrimental to the onset and progressing of breastfeeding - unnecessary separation of the mother and her newborn, restrictions regarding the length of time and frequency of breastfeeding, use of pre-lacteal foods and supplements - are still quite frequently observed in public and private hospitals within the city of São Paulo. Given the benefits of breastfeeding for both the mother's and their children's health, and the important role maternities play for an early and successful onset of breastfeeding, it is paramount that the BFHI patterns be adopted by hospitals within the municipality of São Paulo.