Causal factors in decision making regarding breastfeeding in a group of adolescent mothers
L. Polanco Reyes, T. Canto de Cetina, S. Ruiz García, M. Ordoñez Luna

SUMMARY

Objetive: To find out what teenager pregnant women know about breastfeeding, as well as their personal views regarding breastfeeding and its effect on their body image.

Study design: This was a transversal, descriptive study.

Emplacement: The study was performed at the Hospital Materno Infantil in Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico.

Subjects: Adolescent mothers younger than 20 years of age who arrived to the hospital for child birth.

Principal measurements: Information was gathered directly through a structured interview which included background knowledge on breastfeeding and its benefits, as well as the importance of possible changes in the shape and size of their breasts.

Results: We found that the only knowledge which a large percentage of women (62.4 %) had regarding breastfeeding was that it was healthy for their babies. 303 adolescent mothers did not think that the baby's suctioning could disfigure their breasts. In a second interview 69 of 87 mothers were satisfied with their current body image.

Conclusions: The attitude of the participants is one of complete acceptance to their body changes, as these are assumed to be a part of the natural process of motherhood. In these women breastfeeding has also been programmed since the beginning of their pregnancy. Nevertheless, these participants are thought to differ from those in other cultural, educational and social levels, who would have different academic and financial aspirations and who receive different information about the ideal body image guided by publicity.

KEY WORDS

Body image, breastfeeding, adolescence.