Psychopatological factors impeding breastfeeding as the principal method in child feeding

Abstract

Though the analysis and comparison of the relevant studies realized from 1970 to present, we have been able to identify the primary causes for the abandonment of the practice of breastfeeding: hypogalactia, ilness of the mother or child, and the begin of mother working. The objective of the present study has been to expand upan the findings of the previous stttdies by identyfic the psycho-pathological factors which could impede the practice of breastfeeding. The study 'Was conducted in Palma de Mallorca (1994). Each of the 193 women took part in the study had a living child aged between three and sixteen months. Of these mothers 59,9% started breastfeeding after birth, the most of them ceasing befare three months, claiming insufficient milk production. The remaider, 40,9%, opted far bottlefeeding. Given the importance of alimentation upan the biopsychosocial development of children, we have come to the conclusion that is essential to increase the general knowledge of nutrition and child psycology.