Trends in breastfeeding research by Brazilian nurses Evolução da pesquisa em aleitamento materno conduzida pela enfermagem brasileira

Exclusive breastfeeding is acknowledged as important for survival, optimal growth, and development of infants. The current review presents a synthesis of research output by Brazilian nurses on breastfeeding over the last 20 years, analyzes the theoretical and methodological issues emerging from studies on breastfeeding in Brazil, and provides directions for future research and practice by nurses in the area breastfeeding. Studies included in this review were identified through LILACS searches of Portuguese-language sources. Articles were organized and analyzed chronologically by comparing the evolution of the Brazilian Breastfeeding Program. The incomplete research output of the Brazilian nursing profession in regard to breastfeeding research needs to be addressed. In addition, specific cultural, sociological, and anthropological characteristics of Brazilian regional settings remain to be explored. Emphasis on potential confounders and critical interrelations is warranted. Breastfeeding; Nursing; Nursing Research Introduction Exclusive breastfeeding is acknowledged as important for survival, optimal growth and development of infants in low-income countries 1. Numerous investigators have reported a relationship between breastfeeding and infant health. Such authors reveal that breastfed infants experience lower rates of acute and chronic otitis media 2, bronchiolitis 3, diarrhea 4, meningitis 5, and necrotizing enterocolitis 6, suffer less recurrent wheezing 7, have higher mean IQs 8, and develop insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus less frequently 9 than those who are bottle-fed. Breastfeeding can also be beneficial to the mother’s health by reducing the risk of ovarian cancer and bone demineralization in comparison to mothers who do not breastfeed their infants 10. Women who breastfeed are less likely to develop osteoporosis and breast cancer 11,12,13 and are more prone to better social interactions 14. Therefore, exclusive breastfeeding has been strongly recommended during the first six months of the infant’s life, continued by mixed nutrition until twelve months, according to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. Indeed, in developing countries, breastfeeding has proved to be an efficient strategy to improve child health and to prevent diseases in adulthood. Over the last 20 years, Brazilian health policy has encouraged breastfeeding programs in BREASTFEEDING RESEARCH BY BRAZILIAN NURSES 21 Cad. Saúde Pública, Rio de Janeiro, 21(1):20-28, jan-fev, 2005 an effort to prevent early childhood illnesses and to reduce infant mortality rates (IMR). For two decades, breastfeeding campaigns have successfully enhanced people’s commitment to health promotion on a large scale. The Brazilian nursing profession has played an important role in encouraging health interventions in lactating mothers as a strategy to improve exclusive breastfeeding rates and to decrease early weaning. However, the real impact of interventions by nursing teams in preventing early weaning and overall infant illnesses in Brazil is not well understood. The current review presents a synthesis of research output by Brazilian nurses on breastfeeding over the last 20 years, analyzes the theoretical and methodological issues emerging from studies on breastfeeding in Brazil, and provides directions for future nursing research and practice regarding breastfeeding promotion.