Mothers' feelings about breastfeeding their premature babies in a rooming-in facility.
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.
Departamento de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande de Norte, Natal, RN, Brasil. rejanemb@uol.com.br
Rejane Marie Barbosa
RM
Davim
Bertha Cruz
BC
Enders
Richardson Augusto Rosendo
RA
da Silva
D000293:Adolescent; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D012386:Rooming-in Care; D055815:Young Adult