Knowledge, attitudes and practices of nursing professionals on breastfeeding: An integrative review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62827/eb.v24i5.4097

Keywords:

Breastfeeding; Knowledge; Attitudes; Nurse Practitioners.

Abstract

Introduction: Breastfeeding is one of the most effective strategies for reducing infant morbidity and mortality, promoting healthy growth and development in children. Despite recommendations from the Ministry of Health and the WHO, rates of exclusive breastfeeding up to six months remain low. Early weaning is associated with physiological, emotional, and sociocultural factors. In this context, nurses play an essential role in promoting, protecting, and supporting EBF through educational and care actions aimed at mothers and children. Objective: This study described, through a review of scientific literature, the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of nursing professionals regarding breastfeeding. Methods: This is an integrative literature review, in which the Virtual Health Library (VHL) was used as a research vehicle, selecting health evidence from the following databases: Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), Nursing Database (BDENF), and Medical Literature and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE). The searches to obtain the studies were performed using the Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCs) combined as follows: (Breastfeeding) AND (Knowledge, attitudes, and health practices) AND (nursing professionals). Publications from the last ten years, in Portuguese and available in full, were included. Information was extracted about authorship, year of publication, main title, objectives, research modality, and main results. Results: A final sample of nine articles was obtained. The studies highlighted nurses as key agents in promoting and maintaining EBF, acting from the prenatal period to the postpartum period. The main actions involved guidance, emotional support, and management of breastfeeding difficulties. The need for continuous training and updating of professionals to strengthen their educational and care practices was evident. Conclusion: The role of nurses is indispensable in promoting exclusive breastfeeding, since their educational, preventive, and care actions directly influence the adherence to and maintenance of breastfeeding. Appropriate management and technical and emotional support for nursing mothers contribute to reducing complications, increasing maternal confidence, and improving the quality of life of the mother-child dyad. Further research should be conducted to explore innovative health education methodologies and interdisciplinary strategies that reinforce the role of nursing in promoting EBF. Few studies have demonstrated the integration between different levels of care and continuity of care after hospital discharge, demonstrating the need to broaden the scope of future investigations.

Author Biographies

  • João Paulo Assunção Borges, UFMS

    Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Coxim, MS, Brasil

  • Gabriela Garcia Sousa, UFMS

    Acadêmica de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Coxim, MS, Brasil

  • Letícia da Silva Camargo, UFMS

    Acadêmica de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Coxim, MS, Brasil

  • Daniel de Macêdo Rocha, UFMS

    Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Coxim, MS, Brasil

  • Ana Patrícia Araújo Torquato Lopes, UFMS

    Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Coxim, MS, Brasil

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Published

2025-12-03

How to Cite

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of nursing professionals on breastfeeding: An integrative review. (2025). Enfermagem Brasil, 24(5), 2884-2900. https://doi.org/10.62827/eb.v24i5.4097

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