This study was designed to investigate, by means of structured interview and follow-up, how informed a group of lower middle class mothers were on the nutritional needs of young infants and to investigate the effect of enlightening the postpartum mother on the value of breastfeeding. The study was carried out on 89 postpartum women, divided into three groups. The first group were approached immediately after delivery and the sessions with the mothers were repeated during the second and third postpartum days. The second group were briefed in only one session, and the third group were given no briefing. At the end of the third month, the percentage of infants receiving breast milk only was 95% in the first group, 50% in the second, and 20% in the third. There was no significant difference in weight gains in the different groups, and no difference could be established between the behavior of the infants in the three groups.

Keywords: breastfeeding, postpartum mother