Abstract
This study evaluated factors associated with the consumption of breast milk (BM), infant formula (IF) and cow milk (CM) in children. This was a cohort study with 256 children followed-up at the 1st, 4th and 6th month of age in Viçosa (MG), Brazil. With respect to CM and IF, consumption was recorded regardless of BM intake. Regarding BM, only exclusive or predominant consumption was considered. From the 1st to the 6th month, an increase was recorded in the number of children who did not consume BM exclusively or predominantly (31.6%), as well as the consumption of CM (27.2%) and IF (9.3%). BM was associated with pacifier use at 1st month, and mother's employment status and pacifier use in the 4th and 6th month. Pacifier use was a risk factor for IF consumption in every month, while belonging to the lower income group was inversely associated in the 6th month. As for CM, the number of prenatal visits was a risk factor in every month, the mother's employment status and use of pacifier in the 4th month, family income, mother's employment status, low birth weight, number of prenatal visits and pacifier use in the 6th month. Since the 1st month, the introduction of other milk types is high, revealing that there is still much to go to ensure exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months.
Highlights
Exclusive breastfeeding up to six months is recommended as an ideal feeding practice for children’s health and development[1,2]
This study evaluated factors associated with the consumption of breast milk (BM), infant formula (IF) and cow milk (CM) in children
This study investigated factors associated with the intake of breast milk, milk formulas and cow milk by children of a birth cohort followed-up at the 1st, 4th and 6th month of life
Summary
Exclusive breastfeeding up to six months is recommended as an ideal feeding practice for children’s health and development[1,2]. According to the Second National Survey of Prevalence of Breastfeeding in the Brazilian Capitals and Federal District, the introduction of other types of milk in the feeding of children under six months is precocious, with prevalence of 18% in the first month and 48.8% among the fourth and sixth month[5]. This introduction may increase infant morbimortality due to the lower intake of breast milk protective factors and a higher risk of contamination[6]. The introduction of infant formulas as a substitute for breast milk in the feeding of children under one year is recommended[7] only in situations of absolute impossibility of breastfeeding
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