[Supplementary feeding of infants in a developed city within the context of a developing country].
OBJECTIVE
To establish the timing for introducing supplementary foods in the diet of infants from the city of Campinas, state of São Paulo, Brazil.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study included 2 857 children younger than 2 years of age randomly selected from the city department of health live birth database between 2004 and 2005. The mothers answered a questionnaire that included 87 closed questions designed to collect information concerning socioeconomic status, breastfeeding, and timing of introduction of supplementary foods.


RESULTS
Assessment of the mothers revealed that 13.5% were adolescents, 73.1% had completed elementary or high school education, 45.9% had technical level jobs, 6,7% had jobs requiring a university degree, and 2.7% were health professionals. On average, participants belonged to socioeconomic class C (ranging from A, highest, to E, lowest), but all socioeconomic classes were represented. The median duration of exclusive breastfeeding was 90 days (95%CI: 87.6-92.4). Water (95%CI: 118.6-121.4) and tea (95 CI%: 113.2-126.8) were introduced at a median of 120 days. Semi-solid foods (95%CI: 178.6-181,4) and powdered milk (95%CI: 169.0-191.0) were introduced at a median of 180 days. Powdered milk and soft drinks had been ingested by 39.1% and 2.1%, respectively, at 4 months, and by 63.2 and 69.1%, respectively, at 1 year of age. Shorter breastfeeding duration was observed for women with technical level jobs, those who were unemployed, and those without a partner.


CONCLUSIONS
The median duration of exclusive breastfeeding was far from that recommended due to the offer of supplementary fluids. Supplementary foods were introduced precociously, especially sweets.
Bernardi
Julia Laura Delbue
JL
Departamento de Pediatria, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brasil.
Jordão
Regina Esteves
RE
Barros Filho
Antônio Azevedo
AA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D014504:Urban Health; D055815:Young Adult