Kangaroo method and breastfeeding: an integrative review of national literature

Abstract

Objective: It was aimed at getting an overview of national empirical studies that discuss the breastfeeding practice during the implementation of Kangaroo Method (KM).

Materials and Methods: Data comes from an integrative review of national literature. The search was carried out in four national interdisciplinary databases: Virtual Health Library, SciELO, SciELO Brazil and Pepsic. Triple crosses were performed between the descriptors "breastfeeding", "kangaroo method", "breast-feeding", "kangaroo mother" and "humanization of assistance".

Results: In the studies found, some aspects were investigated such as, the experiencing acts, perceptions, and experiences of breastfeeding practice during KM; its relation with weaning; the breastfeeding techniques and the sucking reflex developed during the method, as well as its relation with the breastfeeding in the growth and weight gain of the preterm infant. The main results show: the importance of skin-to-skin contact during the KM and the social representations related to milk and to breastfeeding; the need for developing techniques and food supplementation during the method and attention to the factors that influence on weaning or on the lengthening of breastfeeding.

Conclusion: Among the conclusions, it is highlighted the need for researches which investigate psychological aspects and their variations in the KM, besides the physical and physiologic aspects. Studies about failing mother experiences are scarce, for different reasons, in the breastfeeding practice during the KM. It is observed the need for the dissemination of the hegemonic model of maternity which lies across the female experience.