Santiago Breastfeeding Promotion Program: preliminary results of an intervention study.

A prospective intervention study was undertaken in Santiago, Chile, to assess the impact of a breastfeeding promotion program and the acceptance and use of the lactational amenorrhea method for natural child spacing. The intervention study significantly increased the duration of exclusive breastfeeding and amenorrhea. In addition, the use of the lactational amenorrhea method proved highly efficacious, with an unplanned pregnancy rate of less than 0.5% by 6-month cumulative life table. Total family planning coverage at 6 months was increased in the intervention group.