BREASTFEEDING AND COVID-19: AN EXPERIENCE REPORT WITH PREGNANT WOMEN IN THE INTERIOR OF PERNAMBUCO

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, social isolation was a measure that generated concerns in the population, and, specifically in the group of pregnant and postpartum women, it generated insecurity about breastfeeding for fear of transmitting the virus, despite its benefits and recommendations for maintaining the practice. The objective of this study is to report the experiences of nursing students based on educational actions aimed at breastfeeding during prenatal care. This is a descriptive study, of the experience report type obtained from the experiences of an extension project carried out with pregnant women from August 2022 to November 2022, in some Basic Health Units located in a municipality in the interior of Pernambuco. Actions were developed to discuss the benefits of breastfeeding, gestational health care and integrative practices. Extension actions reached around 200 women and families during prenatal consultations and the experience allowed to enhance knowledge and critical reflection, as well as to promote and strengthen breastfeeding, in order to help women during pregnancy and puerperium, which can help reduce early weaning and infant morbidity and mortality in this period of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the extensionists, the actions were important so that they could take their theoretical knowledge into practice and encourage social development and health care in the community.