Non verbal communication: a contribution to breastfeeding counseling
Leite, A.Moraes.; Silva, Iília.Aparecida.; Scochi, C.Gracinda.Silvan.
Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem 12(2): 258-264
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0104-1169 PMID: 15303231 DOI: 10.1590/s0104-11692004000200016Document Number: 241806
The "Course on Breastfeeding Counseling", elaborated and implemented by the United Nation's Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), represents one of the most important initiatives towards the valorization of women as breastfeeding agents. With a view to understand and facilitate the application of the nonverbal communication skills among professionals, this study aimed to organize the theoretical frameworks that will support the teaching of Listening and Learning Skills ("Use of non verbal communication"), considering the concepts of human communication found in different authors. We found out that the skills of the course were centred in techniques directed at the attitudes of professionals. However, it is necessary to pay attention to women's nonverbal signs, as they reflect their emotions. These signs can indicate the difficulties women are facing, their interpretations regarding the interaction elements in their context and, often, they are indicative of how they will direct the breastfeeding process.