Mothers' feelings about breastfeeding their premature babies in a rooming-in facility

• Published in: Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S P Vol. 44; no. 3; pp. 713 - 718
• Main Authors: Davim, Rejane Marie Barbosa, Enders, Bertha Cruz, da Silva, Richardson Augusto Rosendo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem 01-09-2010
• Subjects: Adolescent; Breast Feeding - psychology; Emotions; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Mothers - psychology; NURSING; Rooming-in Care; Young Adult; Mães; Alojamento conjunto; Lactancia materna; Infant, premature; Relaciones madre-hijo; Mother-child relations; Emociones; Breast feeding; Mothers; Emotions; Alojamiento conjunto; Emoções; Rooming-in care; Relações mãe-filho; Aleitamento materno; Madres; Prematuro
• ISSN: 0080-6234; 1980-220X; 0080-6234
• DOI: 10.1590/S0080-62342010000300023

This study aimed at learning about the feelings experienced by mothers while breastfeeding their premature babies in a rooming-in facility, by means of individual interviews with 33 mothers during the period of February to April 2006, at a maternity hospital in Natal/RN/Brazil. The main feelings referred by the mothers regarding their inability to breastfeed their premature babies immediately after delivery were: sorrow, guilt, disappointment, frustration, insecurity, and fear of touching, holding or harming the delicate babies while breastfeeding. However, the mother-child bond that was formed when the baby was discharged from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and taken to the rooming-in facility was reflected by feelings of fulfillment, pride, and satisfaction at experiencing the first breastfeeding.