Table 2.

Healthcare attention by Primary Care doctors and nurses that hinder EBF.

Subcategories	Quotes from the Midwives
Contradictory messages by healthcare professionals who are poorly trained in EBF The informants point out the lack of training of healthcare professionals as an important negative factor for EBF. Conflicting and erroneous messages given to women can have dire consequences for EBF.	“…they do it with good will, but obviously when you are not up-to-date, then you talk about what you have gone through, what you remember was done ten years ago, and so you give wrong information which causes anxiety to the patient.” (E12)
Negative comments by health professionals about the ability of women to breastfeed Midwives indicate that negative comments, without scientific evidence, made by health professionals about the anatomy and functionality of the breast can lead to the cessation of EBF, since they foster uncertainty in women.	“Sometimes, it´s not so much about the wrong advice, but how I impose my advice. It´s best not to say anything than to say: ‘Oh, but you don’t have milk!’ ‘Oh, your breasts are soft, hasn´t your milk come in yet?’” (E3)
Health professionals insist on the maintenance of EBF without offering any solutions to the problems that arise The informants point out that Primary Care healthcare professionals insist on women continuing with EBF, despite the pain, without offering any solutions. The possible explanation for this could be the lack of training in BF.	“But if it’s hurting and you don’t give me any solution, I have a crack and you don’t know what to do with me, you just scold me to keep breastfeeding in pain, well, women just give up breastfeeding…” (E4)
Early introduction of other foods as a barrier to EBF Midwives regret the early introduction of formula and complementary feeding. The lack of scientific evidence of some recommendations given by some health professionals calls EBF into question.	“The early introduction of complementary feeding by paediatricians is a tremendous battleground, and in the health centres there are no common criteria regarding this.” (E5)
Non-compliance with the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes The informants claim it is necessary to monitor and penalise the cases where there is non-compliance in order to protect BF.	“… The agreement for commercialisation of breast milk substitutes is not complied with, it is almost always violated in all centres. The professionals themselves do not comply with it and there is no follow-up to see who complies and who does not, and there is no repercussion for those who do not comply…” (E2)