Souza PRD, Henriques P, Fittipaldi ALM. Guidance on diet and breastfeeding during prenatal care from the perspective of puerperal women in a maternity facility in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Interface (Botucatu). 2025; 29: e230657. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/interface.230657
Abstract
The aim of this study was to understand postpartum women’s perceptions of diet, breastfeeding and nutritional advice received during pregnancy. We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed using content analysis and interpreted using a theoretical framework based on dialectical hermeneutics. Three categories of analysis were identified: guidance on diet and breastfeeding during prenatal care; maternal eating habits and the importance of diet for the baby’s health; and breastfeeding – meanings, expectations and the women’s support network. Nine puerperal women received guidance on breastfeeding during prenatal care, but the majority of participants reported that they had not received any guidance on breastfeeding. The findings of this study confirm the importance of nutritional guidance during prenatal care, highlighting the importance of understanding women’s views on this period.
Keywords
Qualitative research; Breastfeeding; Pregnancy; Prenatal care; Maternal nutrition
