Transitional experiences of mothers of children with special health needs in breastfeeding.
Ana Carla Silveira de Sá, Fernanda Garcia Bezerra Góes, Andressa Neto Souza and 5 others
PMID 40862431WHAT IT FOUND
Mothers of children with special health needs described breastfeeding as a complex transition hindered by NICU separation, delayed milk production, and social judgment.
Support from milk banks and practical guidance on pumping and latch were critical facilitators that helped them maintain feeding despite emotional distress.
Key findings
01Separation in the NICU and the inability to breastfeed immediately caused significant emotional distress and frustration for mothers.
02Access to milk bank support, including guidance on breast massage and milk extraction, was a key facilitator that allowed mothers to provide breast milk even when direct breastfeeding was not possible.
03Societal judgment and self-pressure regarding breastfeeding were identified as inhibiting factors that increased maternal distress.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study was conducted in a single healthcare service in one region of Brazil, which limits the generalizability of the findings. The use of a specific art-based data collection method (Knowledge Tree) may have influenced how participants expressed their experiences compared to traditional interviews. The sample size was small (20 mothers), which is typical for qualitative work but limits breadth.
Declared interests
This work was supported by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel - Brazil (CAPES). The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the 48% breastfeeding rate or the themes of distress as evidence that breastfeeding is inherently harmful or impossible for this population. The study describes the challenges and facilitators of the experience, not a failure of the intervention itself. The findings highlight where support is needed, not a reason to discourage breastfeeding.