Amamentação de crianças com idade superior a dois anos: experiências maternas

Abstract

The objective of this study was to know the maternal experiences in relation to the breastfeeding for women who breastfed their children for two years or more. The participants were four adult mothers aged between 20 and 50 years. The instruments used to collect information were screened form to identify the criteria for inclusion of participants and a semi-structured interview to investigate the study questions. Was used a collective case study design, giving attention to the particularities and similarities between the cases, and a qualitative analysis. The results were organized in three studies: a theoretical study (Study 1) as regards the pursuit of studies, using a literature narrative review, that discusses the maternal experience in relation to the breastfeeding and weaning; the first empirical study (Study 2) that refer to research on how is the mothers experience with the practice of breastfeeding for two years or more, which the models involved in the practice and the place occupied by father in this context; and the second empirical study (Study 3) investigates what the aspects related to children's weaning process breastfed for up to two years or more, giving emphasis on three aspects: the ambivalence of feelings reported by mothers in regard to weaning, the reasons that led to wean the children and the surveillance and social coercion from this practice. All the main results in the three studies indicate the importance of rethinking health issues and assistance to women and children who can offer adequate support for the socio-cultural, historical and subjective demands can be met. Is necessary to understand that it is still only encourage breastfeeding speaking about their nutritional and biological aspects, but to understand the situation of every woman's life. It is understood that changes in social, cultural and historical terms are complex, however, the provision of adequate emotional support is possible. It must be recognized the different practices of women regarding breastfeeding are characterized by great social pressure. This is the result of the control exercised by society on women, for example, through campaigns to encourage breastfeeding and monitoring on the act of breastfeeding and weaning, gender issues and little knowledge or ignorance of the experiences and feelings of mothers by the people who are next to them and work with these. So also points up the importance of understanding the woman's support network breastfeeding, since through this improved structure can offer a service in health and expanded under a biopsychosocial perspective.