Aleitamento materno: um enfoque nas práticas populares de cuidado.

Abstract

This study is a qualitative approach of descriptive typology, held in the catchment area of a Family Health Unit in the city of Cuite-PB in the period March-April 2012, aiming to meet the popular practices that are related breastfeeding. The study included 10 mothers who were breastfeeding, with children aged 0 to 6 months of life. The collection of material was conducted through semi-structured interview with scripted by open questions related to pregnancy, breastfeeding and popular practices and customs performed during breastfeeding. For the identification of these names have been used pseudonyms of flowers. For the content analysis, we used the technique of content analysis of Bardin. The results revealed that the popular practices are still strongly present in our day by day and that these practices were passed in most by older and next people, mainly by women, thus confirming the tradition, that were created following categories: Caring body; breast milk, medications, water and teas and difficulties in breastfeeding: truths and popular practices of care. The main popular practices related to breastfeeding obtained in research were: applications with almond oil, creams, sun bathing, massage hands on to shape the breast and nipple facilitate breastfeeding; give the child before six months of life, camomile tea, other milk and water. Mothers reported breastfeeding difficulties due to problems such as cracks, gravelly milk, mastitis, decreased milk production and milk for the baby would be weak. Of all mothers surveyed reported having breastfed their children in the first days of life, but only 10% (1) of them nursed her baby exclusively for six months, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of Health (MS). Another mother 10% (1) reported AME, but her baby was only 25 days of life, however all other mothers 80% (8) gave water, tea and other milk leading to a mixed breastfeeding. Thus, we saw the necessity of breastfeeding be more encouraged and guided by managers and health professionals to work with the population, not only assisting, but also in the promotion and education in relation to breastfeeding and its benefits to mother and child, and importantly the support of family and society in this practice.