Avaliação da introdução precoce da alimentação complementar em crianças menores de 6 meses em João Pessoa - PB

Abstract

Appropriate food and nutrition are essential conditions for growth and infant development. Breastfeeding provides nutritional, economic, immunological, cognitive and social benefits. Breast milk should be the only source of food for the child until six months of life, since you can feed them properly and protect them against diseases. Just after this period it becomes necessary to introduce other food sources to supplement human milk, preventing the development of morbidity and death. The study aimed to evaluate the early introduction of complementary feeding in children less than six months in the city of João Pessoa. Cohort study conducted in two public hospitals of reference in the city, where 222 mothers, between 19 and 35 years, and their children, were followed. Interviews were conducted in the maternity ward to collect demographic, prenatal and childbirth’s data and the second stage was carried out 60 days after birth, through previously scheduled home visits. The evaluation of early introduction of complementary foods was performed using the maker consumption for children under 5 years from SISVAN. With regard to breastfeeding practices, only 32 (14,4%) babies were exclusive breastfed and the other 190 had already started to consume foods other than breast milk, after two months. In regard to complementary foods, revealed a high consumption rate of water, milk powder or fluid, infant formulas, porridges, juice and tea. Soda, vitamin and family food were less frequently eaten foods. Rates so low in the prevalence and duration of exclusive breastfeeding represent possibility of morbidity development in these children in the future, therefore indicates the need for public policies and nutrition education programs that encourage the practice of exclusive breastfeeding and healthy introduction of complementary foods