Aleitamento materno de recém-nascidos hospitalizados: grupo de apoio desenvolvido junto às puérperas adolescentes

Breastfeeding in hospitalized newborns: support group developed with adolescent mothers

Abstract

Objective: To set up a breastfeeding support group for teenage mothers with newborns in the Intensive Care Unit and in
the Neonatal Intensive Treatment Unit. Methods: Study of a participatory qualitative survey with a descriptive approach.
For planning the fi rst meetings, semi-structured interviews were used to explore prior knowledge, feelings and factors that
infl uence and contribute to breastfeeding. The data were collected at the Casa da Mamãe maternity annex of a reference
hospital in the Northern Ceará State in June-July 2011. A preparatory session was held, followed by two group sessions with
eight participants. Results: The mothers had coherent knowledge about the importance of breastfeeding for children’s
growth and development, but were unaware of its importance for themselves. For these mothers, breastfeeding meant a natural and necessary extension of pregnancy, fueling their eagerness to breastfeed their babies, who are in vulnerable
conditions that made them anxious. These groups thus built up links between their participants and practitioners, buttressing
mutual support and help. Conclusion: The group approach was established as an education and health promotion tool,
with stronger links between participants and practitioners. However, it is clear that the implementation of health promotion
strategies such as this in hospitals is a concern and challenge for practitioners and facilities.