Prática da amamentação no puerpério imediato: assistência do enfermeiro

Abstract

Nurse assistance in the immediate postpartum period is essential for effective breastfeeding practice. Breastfeeding within the first hour of a newborn's life has a protective effect, contributing to the strengthening and longevity of breastfeeding. The objective of this article is to describe the nurse's role in breastfeeding practice during the immediate postpartum period and to identify the difficulties faced by nurses when assisting with breastfeeding within the first hour of life. This is an integrative literature review, conducted with articles published in the Scielo, LILACS, and UFMG databases from 2020 to 2024. After reviewing the articles, four categories emerged: The nurse’s contribution to breastfeeding practice in the immediate postpartum period; Breastfeeding within the first hour of life vs. difficulties faced by nurses; Nurse guidance on breastfeeding practice; Common complications during breastfeeding. The results show that the nurse's assistance during the immediate postpartum period is crucial, as it provides guidance on the benefits of breastfeeding, facilitates proper latching, and prevents possible complications. Several factors can interfere with the initiation and duration of breastfeeding, including low educational levels, return to work, negative prior maternal experiences, breastfeeding within the first hours after delivery, paternal support, among others. It is concluded that the nurse's assistance in breastfeeding during the immediate postpartum period has a positive influence on the duration of breastfeeding, strengthens breastfeeding promotion, increases the emotional bond, improves the quality of care for the mother-child dyad, and reduces the risk of infant mortality.