OBJECTIVES: Translate and adapt the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (BSES) to the cultural reality of Brazil and evaluate the content validity of the Portuguese version, so that it can be used in the Brazilian population. METHODS: The study was made in two phases (1- Protocol translation and cultural adaptation, and 2- Validity of Content). RESULTS: The total score ranged from 93 to 162 points (M = 127.03, SD = 19.62). When considering only women who bore many children, the score scale ranged from 106 to 156 (M = 131.66, SD = 15.91). The translated version proved to be easy to understand, showing good consistency and semantic validation. The Index for the Validation of Content was 0.84 and the Cronbach's alpha = 0.90. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the BSES is suitable for screening the maternal confidence in its potentiality to breastfeed. However, it is necessary to evaluate the psychometric properties of this instrument in samples with different social and educational levels, and in other regions of Brazil
Self efficacy; Breast feeding; Validation studies
