Maternals´ experiences and perceptions in communication relationship with health professionals during breastfeeding counseling. A Qualitative study.

Background . The primary objective of this study is to explore the key aspects of the therapeutic relationship between professionals and the mother-baby dyad from the mother's perspective. The World Health Organization advocates participatory research to enhance the efficacy of breastfeeding promotion interventions. A comprehensive understanding of the factors deemed significant by mothers is instrumental in the effective planning of communication skills training for the professionals entrusted with their care. Methods . The present study employed qualitative content analysis, drawing upon Glaser and Strauss' grounded theory, and encompassed in-depth interviews and participant observation. The study comprised mothers of infants born in the last five years who had expressed a desire to offer exclusive breastfeeding for a period of six months. Participation was voluntary, anonymous and without language barriers. The analysis was conducted utilizing the software program Atlas.ti v25. Results : Theme 1: Maternal feelings and emotions during birth and breastfeeding. Category 1: Maternal emotional moments: positive feelings such as encouragement, confidence and gratitude, and negative feelings such as fear, guilt, loneliness and misunderstanding. Category 2: The therapeutic relationship: mothers value empathy, respect, active listening and personalised treatment. Category 3: Healthcare environment: barriers such as mechanised care and lack of staff are perceived in the public system, while limited access and high cost are perceived in the private system. Category 4: Support network: The importance of support groups for mothers and their partners in terms of decision-making and emotional support is emphasised. Conclusions : Mothers' perception of the knowledge and skills that professionals have acquired and demonstrated in the management of breastfeeding influences their confidence. The most important factors are empathy, accessibility, respect, closeness, trust and a personalised approach prior to counselling. They value accessible and reliable spaces where they can discuss their physical and emotional health.