OBJECTIVES: understand the implications of preventing mothers from breastfeeding and the reasons they follow recommendations not to breastfeed. METHODS: a qualitative method where social phenomenology was used as a theoretical and methodological reference. The group consisted of 17 mothers in an outpatient pediatrics clinic. Some of the mothers were HIV positive; some had a non determined infectuous status. The content analysis method was used. RESULTS: being prevented to breastfeed made mothers feel unfulfilled and belittled. Avoiding breastfeeding implies changing the mother and baby relationship. Prejudice and discrimination are present. Choosing not to breastfeed is a way to protect babies from HIV contamination avoiding guilt and winning Society's forgiveness. CONCLUSIONS: results indicate that "breastfeeding prohibition"- displayed by breasts in dressing - is considered painful and harsh. It involves the wish of maintaining the baby healthy based more on social, cultural and emotional issues than in biological ones. It seems to indicate that healthcare professionals ignore mothers' feelings when these mothers are faced with the problem of not being able to breastfeed.
Breast feeding; Women's health; HIV; Disease transmission; vertical; Psychological phenomena and processes; Qualitative research
