Maternal knowledge on Breast Feeding and speech-language therapy at rooming-in care

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the breastfeeding practice and maternal knowledge on Speech- Language Therapy at Rooming-in Care. Methods: A quantitative, observational and crosssectional study held at a Rooming-In Care service of a reference maternity of Ceará State, Brazil, in the period of November, 2006 to February, 2007. The population consisted of 38 mother-infant dyads that were in exclusive breastfeeding and admitted in the Rooming-in Care. Data collection was carried out by means of a form addressing aspects referring to breastfeeding (breast anatomy, new-born sucking and difficulties) and maternal knowledge concerning the speech therapy performance. Results: The results showed that 17 (45%) mothers new about the speech therapy practice; 26 (68.5%) referred having received orientations about breastfeeding; 25 (66%) had protruding nipple; 23 (60.5%) had no difficulties during the baby’s sucking of the nipple. Conclusion: We conclude that the maternal knowledge on Speech-Therapy was unsatisfactory, as they associated the profession only to difficulties related to the speech, not knowing about the other fields of practice. Concerning breastfeeding, a significant sample of mothers did not present difficulties during the process. The received orientations, independent of the professional who gave them, were effective for breastfeeding