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PubMed · 42287007

The Meaning and Significance of Breastfeeding for Biological Mothers of Children with Cleft Lip and/or Palate.

Ana Laura Araújo Ferreira·Caio Vieira de Barros Arato·Vitor Rafael Gomes·Gisele da Silva Dalben·Lucas Serra Valladão·Rodrigo Almeida Bastos·Norma Sueli Gonçalves Reche·Luciane Miranda Guerra
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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Given the functional, emotional, and symbolic challenges imposed by cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) on exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), mothers often experience early breastfeeding cessation with impacts on maternal identity and the mother-infant bond. This study aimed to explore the meanings, feelings, and experiences of mothers of children with CL/P regarding breastfeeding in the face of these adversities. METHODS: This qualitative study applied the Clinical-Qualitative Method as proposed by Turato. Six in-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with biological mothers of children with CL/P, recruited from a specialized craniofacial reference center in Brazil. Data were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis approach, grounded in psychodynamic concepts from the Medical Psychology theoretical framework. RESULTS: Based on the analysis of the collected material, three analytical categories were identified and constructed: (1) "Existential conflict regarding the inability to fulfill the ideal maternal role"; (2) "Duality between the need and the fear of caregiving"; and (3) "The anguish experienced between tangible and intangible support during breastfeeding."Conclusions:Although the inability to EBF in children with CL/P generates emotional distress, motherhood is reimagined through adaptive forms of care and bonding, highlighting gaps in institutional support and the need for more humanized, emotionally sensitive health practices.

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HumansBreast FeedingCleft LipFemaleCleft PalateMothersBrazilMother-Child RelationsAdultQualitative ResearchInfantInfant, NewbornMaleInterviews as Topicbreastfeedingcleft lipcleft palateemotionsmothersqualitative researchJournal Article

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Ana Laura Araújo Ferreira, Caio Vieira de Barros Arato, Vitor Rafael Gomes, Gisele da Silva Dalben, Lucas Serra Valladão, Rodrigo Almeida Bastos, Norma Sueli Gonçalves Reche, Luciane Miranda Guerra. 2026-06-12. The Meaning and Significance of Breastfeeding for Biological Mothers of Children with Cleft Lip and/or Palate.. https://doi.org/10.1177/15568253261459869

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Journal Article resourceAdult subjectBrazil subjectEmotions subjectFemale subjectHumans subjectInfant subjectInfant, Newborn subjectInterviews as Topic subjectJournal Article subjectMale subjectMothers subject

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