Ethical problems related to breastfeeding: integrative review

Abstract

Objective: To describe the ethical problems related to breastfeeding described in the scientific literature. Methods: This is an integrative literature review, carried out in the following databases: SciELO, MEDLINE/PubMed and Web of Science from the crossing of descriptors available in the Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS) and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), Ethics and Breastfeeding, combined using the Boolean operators AND and OR. Results: Two thematic categories were identified, namely: EPs in the practice of breastfeeding, which reflect on the need for support to women by the family, health professionals and society considering the biopsychosocial and economic aspects, and EPs involving breastfeeding substitutes mother, which questions the ethical values ​​of professionals who prescribe infant formulas. Final considerations: The presence of EPs linked to the practice of breastfeeding and its substitutes was verified, and these decision-making were equally sensitive and challenging. They arise from situations such as: child's needs versus the mother's need, lack of support, continuity of breastfeeding by HIV-positive mothers and ethical values ​​of professionals who prescribe formulated. The study considers that decision-making and assistance to the mother-child binomial must be supported by ethical principles that consider the integrality of care.