Promotion of breastfeeding and immediate postpartum care at home by an interdisciplinary health team: case report

Abstract

Breastfeeding is a public health issue, and society bears the responsibility for ensuring the fundamental rights to health and adequate nutrition. The puerperal woman needs to be supported to breastfeed and health professionals play a fundamental role in her care, especially during the immediate puerperium. This is a case study of a primiparous, adolescent, single woman, delivered by caesarean section, breastfeeding her 10-day-old newborn with the support of her family. Her breasts were engorged with accentuated fissures, and she reported that she no longer wanted to breastfeed because it was too painful. The newborn latches on were not properly and it was corrected. She was instructed to shake the breast, massage the areola, and perform relief milking. Photomodulation was performed on both breasts, and she was advised to use chopped parsley (Petroselinum crispum) to relieve pain and help with healing. After three days, the breasts improved considerably, and the puerperal woman continued breastfeeding. This report illustrates the importance of interdisciplinary support in the immediate puerperium to promote breastfeeding.