Vivências de mães no desmame precoce

Abstract

Introduction: The interruption of exclusive breastfeeding is a problem of public health. Several factors may be associated and intertwined with the culture, life style, influence of society, among others. Objective: To comprehend the mother’s livingness regarding the interruption of exclusive breastfeeding. Method: Qualitative research, anchored at Strauss’ Grounded Theory. The research scenario was a Health Unit that acts as Family Health Strategy in the city of Caicó (Rio Grande do Norte). Nineteen subjects took part in the research, distributed on three sample groups: The first was made of thirteen mothers, the second by three health professionals and the third, by three relatives. The data gathering occurred between the months of April and September of 2018 through in-depth interviews, with the support of memos and diagrams. A data analysis was made during the data gathering, on three stages of codification: Open, axial and of integration. The software NVivo® 11 was used for the organization of data during the analytical process. Results: From the analytical process, a phenomenon entitled as “living the multidimensionality of the interruption of exclusive breastfeeding”, sustained by three categories that promotes a driving movement for the central phenomenon, accordingly with the components of the paradigmatic model: - “Experiencing myths and taboo and the influence of the woman’s social support network regarding exclusive breastfeeding”; “feeling of not being protected by Brazilian laws in relation to the protection of exclusive breastfeeding” and “highlighting the motives of social order that contributes for the failure of exclusive breastfeeding”; actions/interactions – “interrupting the exclusive breastfeeding” and “developing mammary complications”; consequences – “introducing artificial milk and complementary feeding before the sixth month of life” and “experiencing negative feelings in front of the interruption of exclusive breastfeeding”. Conclusion: The exclusive breastfeeding is a complex phenomenon, that goes beyond biological dimensions, being influenced by cultural factors, interferences of family and health professionals that provides direct assistance to the mother, as well as, the short maternity leave also contributes for the early weaning, that evoke negative feelings in the mothers.