INFANT FEEDING IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF LIFE

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the prevalence of breastfeeding and the introduction of complementary food for zero to 24-month-old infants. Methods: This is a population-based cross-sectional study of children aged less than 24 months in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data were collected in 2015, by interviews with people in charge of infant care in the house. The questionnaire administered assessed the sociodemographic status of the family, maternal and infant characteristics and food consumption habits. Survival analysis was used to calculate median prevalence and duration of breastfeeding and the introduction of complementary feeding. Results: With 180 days of life, 4.0% of the children were exclusively breastfed, 22.4% were mostly breastfed and 43.4% were fed breast milk as complementary food. In the third month of life, children were consuming water (56.8%), fruit juice or formula (15.5%) and cow’s milk (10.6%). At the age of 12 months, 31.1% were consuming artificial juice and 50.0% were eating candies. Before the age of 1 year, 25.0% of them had already eaten instant noodles. Conclusions: The introduction of drinks, honey, sugar and candies as complementary food was found to be premature; and solid and semi-solid foods were almost appropriate. The habits described can directly affect the success of breastfeeding. Given that the inadequate eating practices identified can compromise the infant’s health, actions that promote breastfeeding and provide guidance on the introduction of complementary foods are important.摘要 研究目的：分析0至24月龄婴幼儿的母乳喂养率及辅食（complementary food）添加情况。方法：本研究为基于人群的横断面研究，研究对象为巴西米纳斯吉拉斯州蒙蒂斯克拉鲁斯市的24月龄以下儿童。研究于2015年开展，通过对家庭中婴幼儿照护者进行访谈收集数据。所用调查问卷涵盖家庭社会人口学特征、母婴相关特征及膳食消费习惯。本研究采用生存分析法计算母乳喂养的中位患病率、持续时长以及辅食添加相关数据。结果：婴幼儿出生180天时，仅4.0%的儿童接受纯母乳喂养，22.4%接受主要母乳喂养，43.4%以母乳作为辅食补充。出生后第3个月，56.8%的儿童摄入水、15.5%摄入果汁或配方奶、10.6%摄入牛乳。至12月龄时，31.1%的儿童饮用人工调配果汁，50.0%食用糖果。1岁前，已有25.0%的儿童食用过方便面。结论：将饮品、蜂蜜、糖类及糖果作为辅食添加的时机过早，而固体与半固体食物的添加时机则基本适宜。本次研究所发现的喂养习惯可直接影响母乳喂养的成功率。鉴于本次识别出的不当喂养行为可能损害婴幼儿健康，因此推广母乳喂养并提供辅食添加指导的相关举措具有重要意义。