Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the practice of breastfeeding in children with cleft lip and palate treated at a referral service in the state of Piauí. Method: This is an epidemiological, descriptive study with a quantitative approach whose sample consisted of 25 mothers of children with cleft lip and palate treated at a referral hospital. The data were collected using the semi-structured questionnaire, and analyzed statistically using the software Stastistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 21.0. Results: It was found predominance of male children, from the interior of the state and born in a public hospital. The incisor pre-foramen cleft had a higher incidence. Most mothers received some guidance about breastfeeding during the gestational period and the nurse practitioner was the one who most advised them. Both in the hospital and in the home environment, breastfeeding prevailed in the bottle and the children who had an effective grasp in the sinus had pre-cleft and incisor transforaments. Conclusion: The guidelines on breastfeeding require training and knowledge of health professionals about correct techniques and positioning for breastfeeding and lack of it, may negatively influence the process and contribute to early weaning.