Breastfeeding programme--right policy, wrong target?

ABSTRACT

To assess the knowledge of breastfeeding management among obstetriciansand the practices being followed in their hospital, 50 obstetricians in private practice in Nagpur, responded to questionnaires having 6 points covering the entire gamut of common issues regarding breastfeeding. All believed that breast milk is best for the baby. It was found that knowledge about various aspects of breastfeeding management is very poor. Unawareness about the adequacy of colostrum for a full term appropriate for date baby was almost universal. While the policy of promoting breastfeeding every year through public programmes is appropriate, the question is who should be the target? Prospective mothers or obstetricians? It is obvious from this study that obstetricians have significant educational needs in the area of breastfeeding management.