Amamente Extension Project: An Experience Report of a Course for Professionals of the Brazilian Unified Health System

Breastfeeding offers benefits for both the baby and the mother. Therefore, health agencies recommend breastfeeding from birth, maintaining exclusive breastfeeding until six months of age, and supplemental breastfeeding until two years. The Amamente Extension Project - Breastfeeding Course for Professionals of the Unified Health System (SUS), was created to promote a space for strengthening breastfeeding through the development of health professionals. To report the experience of the Amamente Extension Project, aimed at qualifying SUS professionals in human breastfeeding. Descriptive, experience-report study of a breastfeeding development course for health professionals working in the SUS. 102 health professionals working in the SUS in the states of Bahia, Pernambuco, and Rio Grande do Norte participated. Seven classes were taught online via the Microsoft Teams platform, lasting an average of two hours. A course evaluation form was administered at the final meeting, and most participants responded that the course contributed to their work by updating their knowledge and improving breastfeeding management practices. 100% of participants rated it positively (93.4% excellent and 6.6% good). The course provided SUS healthcare professionals with the opportunity to supplement their academic and professional training, updating their knowledge with scientific basis, and being better equipped to assist with complications and, thus, contributing to the prevention of early weaning.