Perfil do aleitamento materno e da alimentação complementar em crianças menores de dois anos atendidas em um centro de referência da cidade de Juiz de Fora - MG

Abstract

To describe the profile of breastfeeding and complementary feeding in children under two years of age treated in a referral center in the city of Juiz de Fora, MG. This was a cross-sectional study with a non-probabilistic sample conducted at the Department of Child and Adolescent Care of the Municipality of Juiz de Fora, MG. A total of 122 mothers of children under two years old, attended at this location in a one-month period, were interviewed. For data collection, the questionnaire used by the project on Breastfeeding and Municipalities in São Paulo was adapted. We found a prevalence of breastfeeding in the 1st hour postpartum (63.9%), of mothers who completed high school (67.2%), and who did not work outside the home (58, 2%), of children born with normal weight (median of 3,112g), births in the public network (57.4%), cesarean section (53.3%), and early introduction of bottles, chuquinhas (50.7%), and pacifiers (62.0%). Regarding complementary feeding, a high consumption was found of foods rich in iron, such as meat (76.5%) and beans (94.1%), of fruits (92.2%), of porridge plus starches (45.1%), of salty strained or liquefied baby food (23.1%), and processed products such as juices (29.4%), soft drinks (15.7%), foods with sugar (70.6% ), and crackers, cookies, and snack foods (84.3%). The early introduction of complementary foods was present in 12.7% of the children. Conclusion: It is becoming necessary to implement actions aimed at promoting healthy eating habits, prioritizing parent education and encouraging the development of policies aimed at public health to ensure better quality of life for infants.