Facilitators and barriers to implementing a breastfeeding protocol for premature newborns

OBJECTIVES: to describe healthcare professionals' and mothers' perceptions regarding the facilitators/barriers to implementing a multidisciplinary breastfeeding protocol for premature and low-birth-weight newborns. METHODS: participatory research, with a qualitative approach, conducted in the neonatal unit of a university hospital between June 2022 and July 2023. Sixty-two professionals and 12 mothers participated. Data were collected through an online form and workshops, and subjected to Bardin's categorical content analysis. RESULTS: facilitators included the presence of a multidisciplinary team, physical space for mothers to stay, family participation, and institutional documents guiding the practice. Barriers highlighted the need for improvements in hospital infrastructure, work routines, and professionals' and family members' commitment. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: listening to the different stakeholders highlights the complexity of implementing evidence into clinical practice, which permeates cultural changes, work processes, relationships between people, and involves resources and service management interests.