Abstract
Objective: to evaluate the maternal self-efficacy in breastfeeding in the immediate puerperium. Methods: this is a cross-sectional study involving 132 puerperae. A form with sociodemographic and obstetrical data and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale - Short Form was applied in the rooming-in maternity ward. Results: the majority of the interviewed women presented high self-efficacy (90.9%) and presented medium (9.1%) self-efficacy in breastfeeding. There was no association between Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form scores and sociodemographic and obstetric variables. Conclusion: women presented high self-efficacy in breastfeeding, which points to a favorable expectation towards breastfeeding, and nurse professional are required to provide more effective assistance in breastfeeding support.
Highlights
The practice of breastfeeding goes beyond the child’s nutrition
This finding is positive considering that the national and international literature point to this criterion as a protective factor for exclusive breastfeeding[4,9]. This result is similar to a research carried out in the northeastern and southeastern regions of Brazil where mothers with medium and high self-efficacy in breastfeeding were found[10,11]. This finding indicates that women living in different regions of Brazil feel confident about breastfeeding; if the prevalence of breastfeeding or exclusive breastfeeding has not reached the international recommended levels, this may mean that factors other than self-efficacy are interfering with the women’s decision to breastfeed
Based on the application of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale - Short Form (BSES-SF), the women in the present study showed a high self-efficacy in breastfeeding, which points a favorable expectation of breastfeeding, and nurses are required to provide more effective assistance and support to the practice of breastfeeding
Summary
The practice of breastfeeding goes beyond the child’s nutrition. It can be considered a natural way of creating a bond, and showing affection and protection between the mother-child binomial. Breastfeeding is considered an economical and effective strategy to reduce infant morbidity and mortality[1]. Monitoring and continuity of breastfeeding is still a challenging goal to be achieved. Government health authorities have reinforced the importance of exclusive breastfeeding in the case of children up to six months of age, the prevalence rate of this type of breastfeeding in Brazilian children under 6 months of age is only 41.0%. More efforts are necessary so as the country reaches satisfactory rates[2,3]
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