This study aimed to describe the care and difficulties mothers face when breastfeeding their premature babies at a neonatal intensive care unit (ICU). Therefore, a qualitative approach was adopted. Data were obtained through structured interviews, which were recorded with five mothers of premature babies under 2,000g who were assisted at the neonatal ICU in Cuiabá-MT, Brazil. The results revealed five subthemes: maintaining milk production by milking, facing discomfort during the stay at the neonatal ICU, living with medical food procedures for premature babies, facing the fragility of the premature baby and the neonatal ICU environment and needing logistic support for breastfeeding. A lack of systematic interventions was observed to stimulate breastfeeding while mothers and their premature babies are in hospital. Hospital professionals need to be trained and intervention protocols have to be implanted, in view of the maternal experiences and needs and the articulation between intrahospital and interinstitutional actions.
breastfeeding; infant, newborn; infant, premature