Feeding of the child during the first year of life in Maringá, PR

Abstract

Child feeding during the first years of life has repercussions throughout that individual’s lifetime. This research consists of a cross-sectional study with the objective of describing feeding practices during the child’s first year of life in the city of Maringá, State of Paraná. Data collection took place during the National Vaccination Campaign Day, through interviews with 889 mothers. Most of the children (65.7%) were being breastfed. The prevalence of exclusive maternal breastfeeding in babies younger than six months was of 25.3%. In this age group, we observed the precocious introduction of complementary foods. However, we verified that approximately, 20.0% of children six months or older did not receive important complementary foods, such as juice, fruits, baby food, meat and beans. Promoting exclusive maternal breastfeeding up to the sixth month, and healthy complementary feeding thereafter should be emphasized in our environment.