Myths about breastfeeding and speech therapy: Views of postpartum women and acceptance of guidance provided by the healthcare team

ABSTRACT Purpose: to investigate the perception of postpartum women regarding myths related to breastfeeding and speech-language pathology aspects, and to evaluate th acceptability of guidance on these topics. Methods: 194 postpartum women from a public maternity hospital in Northeastern Brazil participated, divided into four groups, according to prenatal care and guidance received about breastfeeding. A questionnaire with eight statements (myth/true) and an acceptability test were applied to assess whether the group intervention on myths was well received. The Birnbaum model was used to estimate the discrimination, difficulty, and random correctness of the statements, in addition to the Pearson’s Chi-square test, with 5% significance. Results: in all groups, there were over 70% correct answers on statements about language, oral motor skills, speech, and artificial nipples. The greatest lack of knowledge was about breastfeeding: "breast exchange," "diet and milk production," and "pain in the nipple" (correct answers below 60%). In speech-language pathology, the greatest lack of knowledge was regarding hearing. A significant difference was found for the myth "weak milk," with participants who never breastfed showing more knowledge than those with breastfeeding experience. The acceptability index of the intervention was 97.2% (67.6% loved it and 29.6% liked it). Conclusions: postpartum women demonstrated greater knowledge of speech-language pathology aspects compared to the general aspects related to breastfeeding. There was a high level of acceptability for guidance on breastfeeding and speech-language health.