[Breast feeding. Health related and sociocultural influences and challenges].

Breastfeeding is being abandoned as the preferred feeding method in the early months of baby's life, and many early failures take place among the few mothers who attempt to breastfeed their babies. For that reason, sanitation professionals must encourage breastfeeding and convince mothers to keep it up, at least, for 4-6 months after giving birth. Analysis of pregnancy, delivery and after delivery sociocultural and sanitary conditions may help sanitation workers to elaborate an educational strategy that considers breastfeeding as healthy behavior that should he encouraged. The support of sanitation professionals is considered fundamental for breastfeeding maintenance, and a more profound training of these professionals about every aspect of breastfeeding is necessary. More active sanitary policies supporting this healthy behavior should also be established.