ABSTRACT
Objective
To evaluate the association between maternal characteristics and assistance services provided by a Human Milk Bank (HMB) to women in the puerperal period and their hospitalized newborns.
Methods
A quantitative cross-sectional study conducted at a public maternity in southern Brazil between July and December of 2017. It was used a structured form for data collection. The statistical analysis was conducted using Chi-Square for association or Fisher’s Exact test.
Results
In total, 316 mothers were part of this study. The main reasons were weight loss of the newborn and difficulty in handling. Statistically significant associations were found between follow up services from HMB and mother’s age (18-23 years old: 58.1%; 24-29: 63.8%; 30-35: 78.9%; 36-41: 71.8%, and 42-47: 85.7%; p = 0.036), mother’s race/color (brown: 47.2%; white: 68.9%; black: 77.8%; p = 0.031), and type of delivery (normal: 61,0%; caesarean section: 75.2%; p = 0.011).
Conclusion and implications for practice
Mothers of older age, who were black and with children born by cesarean section were the ones who sought more often and had most follow-ups at the HMB of the maternity. The results found may contribute to the planning, monitoring and elaboration of strategies for breastfeeding actions.
Keywords:
Human Milk Banks; Breastfeeding; Postpartum period