Meanings attributed to breastfeeding in the first two years of life: a study with women from two municipalities in the Reconcavo Baiano region of Bahia, Brazil

Objective This study aimed to determine the maternal meanings attributed to breastfeeding during the child's first two years of life. Methods This qualitative, exploratory and analytical study involved mothers that participated in a cohort from a larger study done in the municipalities of Mutuipe and Laje in the Reconcavo area of the State of Bahia, Brazil. The methodological resources included thorough individual interviews and thematic analysis. The meanings were analyzed by the theoretical framework of sociological phenomenology. Results The meanings stated by the mothers show the singularity of breastfeeding, the importance of family, spousal and health practitioner support, and knowledge about the benefits of breastfeeding for the mother's and child's health and nutritional status. Conclusion The meanings attributed to breastfeeding in the child's first two years of life reflected the influences of complex networks of social relationships of the mother's social and cultural context and of the scientific and biomedical discourse.