MATERNAL SELF-EFFICACY FOR PREMATURE NEWBORN CARE AND BREASTFEEDING MAINTENANCE

HIGHLIGHTS

1. Assess maternal self-efficacy to promote exclusive breastfeeding.

2. Low maternal self-efficacy for care indicates weaknesses in her confidence.

3. Assessing maternal self-efficacy makes it possible to promote exclusive breastfeeding.

ABSTRACT

Objective:

to assess maternal self-efficacy for the care of premature newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit and after hospital discharge and relate it to the duration of breastfeeding at home.

Method:

longitudinal study that used self-efficacy assessment scales of 38 mothers of premature newborns in the period from November 2020 to January 2022 in the city of Cascavel - PR - Brazil. Data analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results:

Maternal self-efficacy during hospitalization turned out to be high, remaining so in the assessment after discharge. Self-efficacy for breastfeeding had no statistically significant differences during hospitalization (p=0.335) and after discharge (p=0.640). However, mothers with high self-efficacy in hospitalization and at home maintained exclusive breastfeeding longer.

Conclusion:

Identifying maternal self-efficacy should be a routine in nursing clinical practice during hospitalization and after discharge, to enhance the maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding.

DESCRIPTORS:
Breast Feeding; Infant, Premature; Self Efficacy; Neonatal Nursing; Mothers