New mothers and their understanding about breast milk donation

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the understanding of mothers about the donation of human milk. Methods: a qualitative and quantitative study with 13 potential milk donors who answered a sociodemographic and obstetric background questionnaire, as well as a semi-structured interview guide on milk donation. Mothers were approached in the hospital envi-ronment, after delivery and the visit of the milk bank. Data were analyzed in Statistical Package for Social Sciences 20.0 and NVivo 11 Starter. Results: the mean age was 24.62 ± 3.95 years; 84.6% had more than eleven years of formal education; 38.5% declared themselves housewives; 46.2% were in a stable union and 76.9% had an income of up to two minimum wages. Most of the mothers (69.2%) experienced previous pregnancy; 76.9% had 6 or more prenatal consultations and 62.5% had previously breastfed. The motivating factors of the donation were altruism; empathy with other mothers; recognition of the primacy of breast milk; the child' s understanding of breast milk need; excess milk production and family support. Unawareness of the process, limited time avai-lable, and lack of transportation and collection points can make donation difficult. Conclusions: there was a desire for information and support for breastfeeding and dona-tion, which made the donation act complex and distant from reality.