Breastfeeding protection, promotion and support at an university hospital

A quantitative and descriptive study hold in a University Hospital in Sao Paulo State aimed at evaluating breastfeeding protection, promotion and support by ensuring compliance with the "Baby-Friendly Hospital's ten steps" for successful breastfeeding proposed by the Ministry of Health. The evaluation has found practices to facilitate breastfeeding, but some changes in the hospital routines in order to meet the "ten steps" must be made. On average, 79% of the answers were positive for the compliance with the "ten steps", which is close to the 80% suggested. However, if we analyze each step, we can identify items which need to be improved. The practice of placing the baby with the mother just after birth allowing breastfeeding at the first half hour, was reported by 100% and 80% of the interviewed mothers who had natural vaginal delivery and cesarean section, respectively. Investments and changes toward the compliance with the "ten steps" will improve the population assistance and education of baby-friendly professionals.