EARLY WEANING FROM BREASTFEEDING FROM MOTHERS' PERSPECTIVE: A DIALOGICAL APPROACH

The complex issue of early weaning from breastfeeding suggests making the mother the main character in this phenomenon. Beyond listening to that character, the Critical Communicative Method proposes to equate scientific and popular knowledge. The goal was to identify the transforming aspects and obstacles to early weaning with 12 mothers who weaned early. The study was developed in the interior of Sao Paulo, in 2010 and 2011, using communicative reporting, communicative discussion group and a questionnaire. Results show young mothers, primipara, married, who finished secondary or technical school and did not have a paid job. The breastfeeding revealed emotions like bonding with the baby, but also feelings of failure and frustration. The equalitarian dialogue revealed that obstacles remain rooted in culture, which need to be discussed with the mothers, and not only judged and condemned, looking for strategies to overcome early weaning through intersubjectivity.