Breastfeeding promotion: maternal empowerment interventions during the pregnancy-parturition cycle

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.9789/2175-5361.rpcfo.v17.13829

Keywords:

Breastfeeding, Nurse Midwife, Nursing Care, Pregnancy, Postpartum Period

Abstract

Objective: to identify the interventions conducted by midwives during the pregnancy-puerperium cycle, aimed at training women to practice breastfeeding.  Method: Scoping review according to the Joanna Briggs Institute model, covering studies published on the EBSCOhost, B. On, Web of Science and Scopus platforms. Results: Six categories of interventions were identified from the inclusion and analysis of twelve studies: 1) prenatal education; 2) tailored postnatal care; 3) fostering maternal self-efficacy; 4) interventions in the maternity unit and during childbirth; 5) social support and family participation; and 6) complementary and alternative therapies. Conclusions: Comprehensive educational programs from prenatal to postpartum, group sessions, phone follow-up, home visits, online support groups and family participation have proven to be effective strategies in empowering mothers to breastfeed. Breastfeeding promotion is a vital responsibility of midwives. To ensure their interventions are effective, ongoing education and compliance with public health policies are necessary.

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Author Biographies

Ana Moreira, University of the Azores

Enfermeira do Hospital da Horta, Ilha do Faial, Açores, Portugal | Universidade dos Açores, Ponta Delgada, Açores, Portugal.

Márcio Tavares, University of the Azores

Doutor em Ciências de Enfermagem desde 2015, pelo Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar - Universidade do Porto. Obteve em 2012 o título de Especialista do Ensino Superior Politécnico na área Científica de Enfermagem, nos termos do Decreto-Lei n.º 206/2009 de 31 de agosto, tendo sido aprovado por unanimidade. É Mestre em Ciências Sociais, com a especialidade em Família, Envelhecimento e Políticas Sociais desde 2006, pela Universidade dos Açores. É licenciado em Enfermagem desde 2002 pela então Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Ponta Delgada. No que diz respeito ao seu percurso profissional no Ensino Superior Politécnico, exerceu, entre 2003 e 2013, funções na Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Ponta Delgada como Assistente. Atualmente é Professor Adjunto na Escola Superior de Saúde (ESS) da Universidade dos Açores desde 2018, sendo o atual Presidente do Conselho Técnico-Científico da Universidade dos Açores.

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2025-06-17 — Updated on 2025-08-04

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Moreira A, Tavares M. Breastfeeding promotion: maternal empowerment interventions during the pregnancy-parturition cycle. Rev. Pesqui. (Univ. Fed. Estado Rio J., Online) [Internet]. 2025Aug.4 [cited 2025Dec.10];17:e-13829. Available from: https://seer.unirio.br/cuidadofundamental/article/view/13829

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Vol. 17 (2025)

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Scope Review

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