Influence of the extension of maternity leave to six months on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding

• Main Author: Ferreira, Gabriela Ramos
• Publication Date: 2013
• Other Authors: D'Artibale, Eloana Ferreira, Bercini, Luciana Olga
• Format: Article
• Language: por; eng
• Source: Reme (Online)
• Download full: https://periodicos.ufmg.br/index.php/reme/article/view/50239
• topic: Lactancia materna; Salud del Niño; Licencia de Maternidad; Salud de la Mujer; Enfermería; Aleitamento Materno; Saúde da Criança; Licença Maternidade; Saúde da Mulher; Enfermagem; Breastfeeding; Child Health; Maternity Leave; Women's Health; Nursing

This article aimed to analyze the influence of the maternity license extension from four to six months on the length of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) of mothers whose children attended a Childhood Educational Center (CEC). This is a descriptive exploratory research with a quali-quantitative approach, conducted with 20 mothers that returned to work after a 180-day maternity leave, whose children attended the CEC of the State University of Maringá in 2010. Data collection was performed through a semi-structured questionnaire containing closed- and open-ended questions. The closed-ended questions were tabulated and analyzed into Excel spreadsheets and the statements were evaluated through content analysis. The results showed that the population studied presented favorable factors towards breastfeeding. The maternity leave extension allowed mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for a longer period. The return to work was, then, the main reason for the discontinuation of exclusive breastfeeding. Thereby, the study suggests that efforts should be made by the CEC health team in order to orientate these working mothers, during all the stages of the pregnancy and childbirth cycles, on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding on the baby's first six months. Moreover, they should enact breastfeeding management, so that when mothers return to work, they will be still breastfeeding their children.