A importância do aleitamento materno: orientações para evitar o desmame precoce

Abstract

It is known that breastfeeding brings numerous benefits to the health of both the child and the nursing field in the nutritional, immunological, biological, cognitive and economic. However these benefits are enhanced only when breastfeeding is practiced exclusively until six months of a child's life, and supplemented by two years of age. To successful breastfeeding beyond the historical, social, cultural and psychological aspects of postpartum women, there is also the commitment of health professionals involved in the promotion, encouragement and support of breastfeeding, as they are directly responsible for the guidance of pregnant women and nursing mothers on the practice of breastfeeding and consequent reduction of cases of early weaning. This intervention project aims to propose the elaboration of an action plan to support and encourage exclusive breastfeeding. The proposal arose from the perception of a large number of multiparous and lactating pregnant women attending the Family Health Strategy Atalaia, municipality of Governador Valadares, reporting the introduction of early complementary feeding the newborn's diet and withdrawing breast milk before 6 months of life. Faced with this fact was identified as urgent to propose actions and strategies that could ensure the permanent provision of orientation activities on the theme breastfeeding for pregnant women and nursing mothers met in unity, strengthening adherence to exclusive breastfeeding until the sixth month of child's life. For reasons of work was carried out a literature search in Google Scholar database, SCIELO, CAPES and virtual NESCON Library, using the following keywords: breastfeeding, early weaning, newborn nutrition, promotion of breastfeeding. It also used the method of Strategic Planning in Health and the method of the Flash Estimate for the organization and data collection and information about the enrolled population to the area covered by the Health Strategy team Watchtower Family. These instruments helped in the situation analysis and selection of main problem, serving thus as a basis for the development and drafting of this action plan proposition. It is hoped that this work can encourage generally the critical reflection of the health professionals of the Family Health Strategy about their important role in encouraging and supporting breastfeeding and providing support for health teams to assess and intervene to effectively the causes that lead to early weaning.