A demonstration of increased exclusive breastfeeding in Chile.
Exclusive breastfeeding was promoted through the first 6 months of life using prenatal lectures, monthly support and education, peer encouragement, home visits, growth monitoring, and assistance in returning to exclusive breastfeeding. Exclusive breastfeeding increased significantly in the service area after the program started, while morbidity decreased significantly and nutritional status remained about the same among clinic attenders. This result shows that, at least in the study conditions, programs to achieve exclusive breastfeeding can be both feasible and desirable.