As repercussões do aleitamento materno exclusivo em crianças com baixo peso ao nascer

Abstract

RESUMO Objetivou-se investigar as repercussões do Aleitamento Materno (AM) exclusivo até o sexto mês de vida de crianças com baixo peso ao nascer. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório, com abordagem qualitativa, realizado em USF de João Pessoa. A partir dos discursos, foram construídas duas categorias, intituladas: A importância do AM no crescimento e desenvolvimento das crianças com baixo peso ao nascer; O papel da Atenção Básica na promoção do AM e no apoio às mães. Evidenciou-se a importância do aleitamento materno no tocante ao crescimento e desenvolvimento das crianças que nasceram com baixo peso, como também o papel dos trabalhadores da atenção básica no incentivo e na promoção do aleitamento materno.ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the effects of exclusive breastfeeding (BF) of infants of a low birth weight until sixth months of age. This exploratory study with a qualitative approach was conducted at a Family Health Centre in Joao Pessoa. The discursive content was analysed and separated into two categories entitled: "The importance of BF in the growth and development of low birth weight infants", and "The role of Primary Care in the promotion and support of breastfeeding mothers". The results revealed the importance of breastfeeding in relation to the growth and development of children with low birth weight as well as the role of primary care workers in encouraging and promoting breastfeeding.

Agentes comunitários de saúde e o aleitamento materno: desafios relacionados ao conhecimento e à prática

“…In the case of low-weight infants, it is necessary to wake them to feed by freely offering breast milk and using artifices to assist their nutrition. These artifices are used, for example, in the case of premature infants, who are not strong enough to suck the breast milk, In this case, the breast milk can be given with a spoon or baby bottle 1,6,7 . In those situations in which there is breast engorgement, the nursing mother can discard the excess milk manually in order to facilitate the nipple attachment for the infant.…”

“…Considering that there is a high staff turn-over in these positions, it is indispensable that these professionals be constantly qualified. As for the lack of qualification among CHWs on breastfeeding practices, it is necessary to implement health education strategies on a permanent basis to provide reflections on and analysis of the daily problems faced by these professionals, thus enabling the development of actions which can effectively contribute to the breastfeeding promotion 5,6,21,25 .…”

“…Moreover, breast milk is considered a complete food for the baby as it is natural, cheap and safe, thus contributing to the prevention of infections, allergies and non-nutritive sucking habits in the first years of life 2,3 as well as allowing the correct development of orofacial structures 4 . Breastfeeding can also provide immunological protection 5 and favour weight gain 6,7 . For being considered a complete food for children up to six months of life, breast milk should exclusively used 3 .…”

“…This initiative proposes that BHUs, in conjunction with hospitals, implement the "Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding" and qualify the healthcare professionals 15 , with the latter being crucial. It is fundamental to listen to the healthcare professionals in the evaluation process so that strategies can be adequately planned in order to improve the quality of the services provided 6,14 . The community health worker (CHW) plays an important role in the successful breastfeeding as he or she is the healthcare professional who is next to the nursing mothers, acting as an integrating link between healthcare staff and community 14,16 .…”

Relação entre o peso ao nascer e o tempo de aleitamento materno com o estado nutricional atual de crianças

“…Apesar de ter aumentado a prevalência nos últimos anos, o aleitamento materno (AM) ainda está longe de alcançar o tempo recomendado (1) . Nesse sentido, garantir o AME desde a primeira hora de vida extrauterina é a forma mais segura, eficaz e completa de alcançar crescimento e desenvolvimento adequados para a criança (2) . Anualmente, a prática de amamentação exclusiva contribui para a prevenção de mais de seis milhões de mortes de crianças com menos de um ano de idade, garantindo a saúde da criança em curto e longo prazo (3) .…”