Decision-making about breastfeeding: influences of breastfeeding counseling.
Jéssica Aparecida da Silva, Monika Wernet, Allison Scholler de Castro Villas Boas, Elisa da Conceição Rodrigues, Karine Emanuelle Peixoto Oliveira da Silva, Mariana Torreglosa Ruiz
Abstract
Open AccessOBJECTIVES: to understand how women who received breastfeeding counseling make breastfeeding-related decisions during their children's first year of life. METHODS: a qualitative study conducted with women who received breastfeeding counseling in rooming-in units of three university hospitals, two located in the Southeast region and one in the Northeast region. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between May and September 2024, assessed using the Symbolic Interactionism and Thematic Analysis frameworks. RESULTS: eleven women participated, highlighting the interactional context of breastfeeding counseling as a promoter of safety and trust, with technical and emotional contributions to overcoming breastfeeding challenges. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: breastfeeding counseling proved to be a care technology with positive influences on maintaining exclusive breastfeeding in the first year of children's lives.