ABSTRACT
Objective
Describe the maternal experience in the context of breastfeeding of a newborn child, hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and submitted to surgical intervention.
Method
Qualitative, descriptive and exploratory research, conducted at a Federal Institute of Rio de Janeiro, through audio-recorded interviews with eight women who experienced breastfeeding of hospitalized children, for data treatment was used content analysis thematic modality.
Results
Through the content analysis thematic modality three categories were elaborated: Facing difficulties in breastfeeding before hospitalization and surgery of the child; Building a bond with the child in the face of limiting conditions of the lap and chest; Needing support to breastfeed the child undergoing surgery.
Conclusios and Implications for practice
The maternal bond should always be stimulated in all neonatal care scenarios, especially in situations of greater vulnerability that may interfere making the breastfeeding process difficult, such as hospitalization for performing surgical procedures. Dialogue and joint processes between the sectors of support for breastfeeding women and newborns strengthen maternal security, making evident the importance of the exchange of experiences between the teams for the construction of the reception, encouragement and support for this breastfeeding woman and her child.
Keywords:
Breast Feeding; Congenital Abnormalities; Surgical Procedures, Operative. Newborn; Intensive Care, Neonatal