OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of speech therapy in the prevention of early weaning and to describe the process of breastfeeding for babies at risk. METHODS: Data were collected using questionnaires, assessment protocols, and disposable materials. There were 12 at-risk mother-infant dyads included, with infants of both genders and aged between 0 and 2 months. The data collection was performed in a Basic Health Unit located in Fortaleza-CE, considering the risk criteria adopted by that municipality. The participants were divided into 2 groups: the mother-baby study group (Gr1; n = 7 mother-baby pairs), with performance assessment, intervention, and guidance, and the mother-baby control group (Gr2, n = 5 mother-baby pairs), with evaluation and observation. RESULTS: It was observed that there are initial challenges to breastfeeding in this population arising from certain characteristics of immaturity of the infants and lack of practice in the management of breastfeeding by the mothers, but one of the causes of early weaning observed in this study was the inclusion of artificial milk in the bottle as a food supplement, used as a resource for breastfeeding difficulties in at-risk infants. After speech therapy, Gr1 had a rate of ~14% early weaning, while in Gr2, 4 babies (80%) were weaned early. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that speech therapy had favorable results with >85% of the population of Gr1, and it is concluded that through management and appropriate guidance, it is possible to establish and maintain exclusive breastfeeding, preventing premature weaning in infants who are at risk.
