Abstract

PIP: 100 mothers were observed in 1972 in a study of perinatal motivation and its affects on the choice of breast feeding. Each subject was approached in the perinatal period and was given information outlining the importance of breast feeding and the adverse effects of artificial feeding. The subjects were then visited on the day of delivery, the day of discharge, the 10th day after delivery, the 20th day after delivery and at the end of each month for 3 months. A control group of mothers who were not motivated were also observed. Although most of the mothers believed breast feeding to be desirable, very few understood the benefits of breast feeding and the problems associated with artificial feeding. Only 20 of the subjects, before motivation, understood that breast milk was a complete food. Out of the 100 mothers who were motivated, 96% breast fed their babies for 3 months following all instructions. The percentage of mothers who breast fed their babies in the control group was 40%. The method of motivation may not be viable on a national level despite its success in this study. A general awareness of breast feeding must lay the backdrop for changes on a national scale.