RESUMEN
PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess the expected and received informative support in lactation in hospitalized lying-in women. Such variables as the number of deliveries and participation in antenatal classes were taken into consideration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research was conducted from May to September 2005, and involved 202 lying-in women staying in maternity wards in Chair and Clinic of Obstetrics and Perinatology, Pomeranian Medical University (PAM) in Szczecin, and Obstetrics and Gyneacology Unit in Independent Public Specialistic Health Care Centre Zdroje Szczecin. The diagnostic survey was carried out; it was based on the questionnaire of author's design. RESULTS: The obtained results suggest that primiparas significantly more frequently than multiparas show demand for all elements of informative support in lactation (p < 0.001), while women who did not attend antenatal classes considerably more often need information on the half of elements of informative support connected with lactation. Informative support that lying-in women receive does not satisfy the demand for it. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Professional support provided by midwives/nurses should be particularly directed on primiparas and women who did not attend antenatal classes. 2. Participation of future parents in antenatal classes causes them to be better prepared to breastfeeding, and be less needing the mentioned information while their stay in a mother-baby ward. 3. It is necessary that midwives/nurses constantly perfect their professional skills in order to improve the quality of obstetrical care.