Autoeficácia no Aleitamento Materno em Ambiente Baby-Friendly

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization, breastfeeding guarantees countless individual and collective benefits (WHO, 2010). Some authors consider it to be an innate skill (Colson, 2008, 2012) while others see it as a skill that must be acquired (Rolfes, Pinna & Whitney, 2009). Objectives: identify the effect of 1)parity and participation in antenatal classes and 2) type of delivery and precocity of the first breastfeeding moment on self-efficacy in breastfeeding. Methodology: This is a quantitative descriptive and explanatory cross-correlated study with a convenient sample of 70 women who recently gave birth in a Baby-friendly hospital. The questionnaire includes socio-demographic and obstetric variables and a measuring tool for breastfeeding self-efficacy (Portuguese version of Santos & Barciá, 2009). The average of breastfeeding self-efficacy is moderately elevated (M=53,04; DP=8,76). We did not verify any interaction effect of parity and participation in antenatal classes on self-efficacy nor was there any direct correlation with the type of delivery and precocity of the first breastfeeding moment. However, we did find there to be a positive relation when associating these factors with self-efficacy in breastfeeding. Conclusions: Instrumental vaginal delivery may complicate self-efficacy in breastfeeding. The precocity of the first breastfeeding moment appeared to be the most important factor for elevated self-efficacy. There is a need for more and better studies to investigate the correlation between participation in antenatal classes and breastfeeding self-efficacy. The e valuation of breastfeeding self-efficacy may help us improve conditions for continuity of breastfeeding after the mother and newborn leave the hospital