Identifying breast feeding and complementary feeding characteristics and the main causes of why mothers stop nursing amongst the population attending the Universidad Nacional's day-care centre.A descriptive, qualitative and quantitative study was carried out. The data for this study was obtained from a survey made of the kindergarten children's parents during 2004 and 2005.98% of the children received breast milk and 75% recognised its benefits for both mother and child. Only 21% of the children ceased to be breast fed six months after birth, this being the minimum age recommended by the WHO. 40% of the mothers keep breast feeding after 12 months.The elements resulting from analysing the surveys agreed with other countries' theories and experience; they also contributed to new considerations regarding the specific context of the Universidad Nacional's kindergarten.