Aleitamento materno como programa de ação de saúde preventiva no Programa Saúde da Família

Abstract

This paper consists of a literature review on breastfeeding and its importance as a Health Program (PSF). It discusses the practice of breastfeeding since the beginning of mankind, going through several phases. It looks at the decrease of breastfeeding in the last century and the consequent increase of artificial feeding. It also shows how breastfeeding is being rescued and the work proposals for FHP teams in order to develop actions to encourage and support breastfeeding. As the strategy of family health emphasizes health promotion and health prevention, the encouragement of breastfeeding becomes one of the most important activities for the family health teams. In order to be successful it requires well-trained health professionals who can make a sensitive hearing of the difficulties faced by mothers when breastfeeding and who also have appropriate knowledge to help them solving problems which may interfere with the breastfeeding success. Finally, we highlight the important role of the social network of the mother who is breastfeeding, especially the family, to the success of breastfeeding.