Representações sociais de puérperas sobre as mamas no aleitamento

Abstract

Objective: To apprehend social representations of postpartum women about their breasts during the breastfeeding period. Method: Qualitative research, based on the theory of social representations. The free word association test was used, applied to 95 postpartum women in a Normal Delivery Center in Salvador-Ba, from November 2017 to February 2018. The analysis of the structure of social representations was carried out from the tree of similarity of free evocations. Results: The postpartum women's social representations about the breasts are markedly pain and size, influenced by peripheral elements that involve the act of breastfeeding and health, being associated with their beliefs, knowledge and affective values. Participants recognize that the breasts are important parts of the body that require daily care. Conclusion: The findings corroborate new perspectives on subjectivities that involve breastfeeding, which may guide health care practices that contribute to satisfaction as a nursing mother.