Manutenção da lactação de mães de recém-nascidos prematuros

Abstract

The importance of breast milk in neonatal development is unequivocal. Its benefits extend beyond basic nutrition, encompassing immunological, cognitive, and emotional dimensions that are essential for the healthy growth of premature newborns. This review aimed to identify practices that enhance lactation, describe the challenges encountered by mothers, report experiences with bedside milk expression, and examine the role of nurses in this context. This is an integrative literature review covering the period from 2018 to 2024, drawing on the LILACS, BDENF. The results showed that early, systematized, and continuous interventions are essential for preserving lactation, highlighting the central role of the nursing team. It has been demonstrated that strategies such as frequent milk expression and skin-to-skin contact through the kangaroo method are effective in stimulating milk production and strengthening the maternal bond. The conclusion is that maintaining lactation depends on qualified professional follow-up, which includes continuous guidance, emotional support, and regular stimulation of milk production. In this context, the nurse plays a fundamental role in ensuring the continuation of lactation, even in the face of challenges associated with prematurity.