Paternidade e aleitamento materno: evidências disponíveis na literatura

Abstract

Breastfeeding is an act that goes beyond the nutritional aspect of offering milk to the child. It involves the interaction between mother and child, the cognitive and emotional development of the baby, in addition to having a significant influence on the physical and psychological health of the woman. Considering that this period can be surrounded by situations such as pleasure, affective bonding, anguish as well as difficulties in performing the act of breastfeeding, the paternal role is highlighted as an important source of support for breastfeeding to be successful. The study aimed to highlight the paternal role in breastfeeding as well as its importance. The approach used was Evidence-Based Practice and the method adopted was the Integrative Literature Review. For the selection of articles, we used the PUBMED, LILACS and BDENF databases. The sample consisted of 11 articles. Regarding the level of evidence, only one had a strong level of evidence (level II). Three studies had a quantitative approach, level of evidence IV; five qualitative non-experimental delineation studies, level of evidence IV; one narrative literature review study; one experience report, level of evidence VI. In the synthesis of the evidence from the studies included in the integrative review, it was found three main topics: paternal support, paternal feelings and difficulties in exercising paternity in breastfeeding. This integrative review provides the reader with the psychic and social aspects that permeate maternity and paternity in the face of breastfeeding, with emphasis on the benefits that the father’s role brings to this period. It is recommended that fathers be valued as a mother-father-baby triad, therefore, included in family health strategies, provided by the health professionals, especially during the period of breastfeeding. We hope that the integrative review will help health professionals to use the results found, which associated with their reality, can assist in the inclusion of men in breastfeeding.