EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING PRACTICES AMONG HEALTH PROFESSIONALS OF A BABY FRIENDLY ACCREDITED HOSPITAL

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding among health professionals of a baby friendly accredited hospital and the risk variables for non-adherence to exclusive breastfeeding. Cross-sectional study carried out between January and June 2014, with 53 health professionals who had babies at the time they were working at a hospital in the state of Maranhão. Data was collected with the use of a structured questionnaire. Of these, 15 (2.83%) sustained exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of their infants’ lives. Breastfeeding was facilitated by the following factors: rooming-in facilities (n = 45/84.9%), support to breastfeeding provided by health professionals, friends or relatives (n = 43/81.1%). In turn, breastfeeding was complicated by the following factors: nipple trauma (n = 22/41.5%), pain (n = 20/37.7%), mastitis (n = 11/20.7%), formula milk, babies were given water (n = six /11.3%) and teas (n = four/7.5%). The fact that the lactating women performed their activities at a Baby Friendly Accredited Hospital did not have a positive influence on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding.

Keywords

• Breastfeeding
• Prevalence
• Health staff
• Cross-sectional studies
• Hospitals