Mothers’ perception of nurses’ breastfeeding promotion practices

Abstract

Theoretical framework: The success of breastfeeding depends on the mother’s historical, sociocultural, and psychological factors, as well as on the health professionals’ commitment, and technical and scientific knowledge to promote and support breastfeeding. Objectives: To identify mothers’ perception of nurses’ breastfeeding promotion practices. Methodology: A quantitative descriptive correlational study was conducted in a nonprobability purposive sample of 88 mothers of children aged between 2 days and 3 years. A questionnaire was applied during May 2012. Results: Nurses’ practices were considered as fair and poor by 43.2% and 29.5% of the mothers, respectively. Education, the workplace, and the working time are associated with the mothers’ perception of nurses’ breastfeeding promotion practices. Conclusion: Nurses should reflect on their breastfeeding practices and training, encouraging mothers not only from a normative and technical perspective, but also from a psychosocial perspective, adapting their practices to each woman’s needs.