Unsuccess in breastfeeding premature newborns: allegations of the profesional staff

Abstract

In spite of the many methods used by the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit workers to stimulate the breastfeeding of premature babies, some cases are unsuccessful. It was noticed that both time and effort spent in this process may generate a feeling of frustration not only to the mothers, but also to the health care professionals. This research aims to reveal experiences lived by the health care staff in situations of unsuccessful breastfeeding of preterm newborns. Following a semi-structured script, staff members of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the school public hospital, Londrina–PR, in 2012. Their quotes were transcribed and analyzed according to the Content Analysis method. Four categories were identified through the previous process: Frustration arising from the failure of the process of breastfeeding; Feeling of “duties fulfilled”; Maternal factors influencing the outcome of breastfeeding: the professionals' opinion; Physical and external factors influencing negatively the process of breastfeeding. While some workers deal easily with the negative outcome, some resent the unsuccessful process for a while and question their own abilities. Maternal cooperation with the staff and the existence of an environment more conducive to breastfeeding were considered in determining outcome. As researchers, we can not act on the infrastructure, but we suggest holding meetings for discussions about breastfeeding families and professionals, and groups of milking mothers to maintain milk production.

Keywords

• Prematuro
• Aleitamento materno
• Unidades de terapia intensiva neonatal
• Equipe de assistência ao paciente.