[The quality of breastfeeding preparation in the antenatal courses].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the quality of breastfeeding preparation in the antenatal courses and to identify the other sources of breastfeeding information.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

Thomayer's Hospital Prague.

METHODS

Data collected from questionnaires presented on web pages of the Lactation League from 2005 to 2006 from 351 mothers were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

Only 52.8% of mothers were satisfied with the course content. Women who attended the antenatal preparation were more informed about the correct breastfeeding technique, the harmfulness bottle and pacifier usage, the disadvantages of the mother and newborn separation and alternative feeding methods than those who did not. The other sources of breastfeeding information were literature, magazines and internet. The health professional participation was only 9%. During pregnancy 82.9% of women did not pass the breast examination.

CONCLUSIONS

It is necessary to improve the breastfeeding preparation quality of antenatal courses and to increase the health professional participation in breastfeeding information distribution.