Promotion of breastfeeding by the nursing staff of a children-friendly hospital

Abstract

This study derived from the observation of the difficulties in breastfeeding experienced by mothers dismissed from a university hospital. Nurses were interviewed, and observations were made to identify problems and possible strategies in order to make the proposal of becoming a children-friendly hospital feasible. The identified problems were insufficient staff, excessive tasks performed by nurses, lack of continuity in the health team work, out-ofcontext guidelines, lack of commitment with the proposal. Health professionals suggested the following strategies: health team meetings, better articulation of tasks, systematic assessments, and higher commitment of all workers of the maternity ward.