PERCEPÇÃO SOBRE AS PRÁTICAS DE ALEITAMENTO MATERNO DE GESTANTES RESIDENTES DO MUNICÍPIO DE PIRES DO RIO, GOIÁS

Abstract

the present study aims to evaluate the knowledge and perceptions about breastfeeding practices of pregnant women living in the municipality of Pires do Rio, Goiás. Material and methods: This are a qualitative, descriptive and cross-sectional research. The information was collected by applying questionnaires to 30 pregnant women living in the city of Pires do Rio, Goiás. Results: Given the importance of breastfeeding, many pregnant women had limited knowledge about this practice, 26% of the participants in the study were unable to define what breastfeeding is, while the others associated breastfeeding with the act of feeding/nourishing the baby and as a way of creating bonds and affection between mother and child. Most participants were unfamiliar with the term continued breastfeeding. The study also revealed that, 23.3% of the participants were unable to answer the appropriate breastfeeding duration for the baby. Conclusion: Through this study it was possible to identify that research participants have different perceptions about breastfeeding practices and, in general, this perception is modulated according to their experiences, beliefs and the social context in which they are.