Mothers’ knowledge and practices in 0 to 6-month-old infant care

Abstract

Mothers’ knowledge and practices must be understood to be recognized by health care professionals. This was a qualitative investigation with a participatory approach carried out with 10 mothers who attended a Family Health Team in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The study aimed at knowing their knowledge and practices as to the health of 0 to 6-month-old infants. Information was collected during four meetings, called “reflective-educative process”. Such process is based on the theoretical-methodological strategy of the Circles of Culture proposed by Paulo Freire. Information was submitted to content analysis. The study reveals the existence of dissonance between what mothers know and what they actually do in when it comes to childcare. It also indicates the need for greater proximity between health care professionals and families so that information on child health care is shared.