S. Floreshuerta et I. Cisnerossilva, JOINED MOTHER-CHILD HOSPITAL LODGING AND EXCLUSIVE HUMAN LACTATION, Salud publica de Mexico, 39(2), 1997, pp. 110-116
Objective. To determine the influence of joined mother-child hospital
lodging (JL) on the frequency of exclusive human lactation (EHL) from
birth to four months of age. Material and methods. Non-randomized coho
rt study performed at the lactation clinic of the ''Luis Castelazo Aya
la'' Hospital of the Mexican Social Security Institute from January 19
93 to October 1994 which included 178 healthy mother-child pairs (MCP)
with term pregnancy. The jointly lodged group (JL) consisted of 90 MC
P in which mothers received assessment for lactation; 88 MCP were lodg
ed separately and no assessment was provided. Results were statistical
ly analyzed to determine frequency and variable associations. Results.
Feeding was recorded as either EHL, powdered milk or both. Groups wit
h or without JL were stratified by form of birth, either labor or Cesa
rean section. With the Mantel-Haenszel X-2 and logarithmic range, diff
erences were significant with p<0.05. During the study, global lactati
on was similar among groups. In the first month, EHL was higher in the
JL group, 61 vs 42% independently of the form of birth (p<0.05). The
only variable which influenced EHL was JL. Conclusions. Mother-child J
L favours EHL during the first month post-partum.