[Factors that influence the interruption of exclusive breastfeeding in nursing mothers].

OBJECTIVE To identify factors that can influence nursing mothers to interrupt exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life of the infant. METHOD Descriptive, exploratory, qualitative research. Information was collected through semi-structured interviews with 14 nursing mothers who had received prenatal care in the Family Basic Health Units in the city of Campina Grande - PB, from April to May 2013. The data were subjected to the content analysis technique proposed by Bardin. RESULTS The nursing mothers had little knowledge of the mother-child bond, reduced family spending on child nutrition and the risk of bleeding after delivery. Their beliefs included insufficient milk production, the child´s rejection of the breast, and the possibility of various mammary postpartum complications. CONCLUSIONS It is necessary to expand the guidance and support of breastfeeding for nursing mothers in the early postpartum period.