Abstract

MAROJA, Maria Clara Santana; SILVA, Ana Tereza Medeiros Cavalcanti da  and  CARVALHO, Alice Teles de. Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative: An analysis from the conceptions of professionais about their practices. Rev. Port. Sau. Pub. [online]. 2014, vol.32, n.1, pp.3-9. ISSN 0870-9025.

Objectives : To analyse the operationalization of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Iniciative (BFHI) as far as the humanization in promoting breastfeeding and staff involvement in activities related to its stragey is concerned. Methods: A case study, qualitative research, was conducted in a Baby-Friendly Hospital from the public system of Paraiba, northeastern Brazil. Semi-structured interviews and meetings with focus groups were conducted featuring 60 technical and top level professionals. This process was followed by the content analysis of the narratives. Results: Professionals showed greater concern with the technical aspects of encouraging breastfeeding. A gap between the work processes between these professionals and the pro-breastfeeding activities developed in maternity units was identified, which appeared to be predominantly in charge of the milk bank sector. It was also found that there is no appropriation of breastfeeding policy of the institution, by the health team, as a guiding tool to carry out daily activities. Conclusions: It is necessary to implement an effective policy of lifelong learning and education directed to the maternity health care team that contemplates a wide dissemination and discussion with all professionals involved in maternal and infant care, so they can be prepared to rescue the breastfeeding practice considering not only the biological aspects of this practice, but also valuing issues related to humanization.

Keywords : Breastfeeding; Hospital; Evaluation; Health care professionals.

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