title: Complementary feeding of infants in their first year of life: focus on the main pureed baby foods.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the complementary feeding practices for infants, focusing on the main pureed baby foods, and verify adherence to the guidelines adopted in Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  Through cross-sectional study, aspects of complementary feeding of 404 healthy infants between 4 and 9 months of age (São Paulo, Curitiba and Recife) were evaluated. Socio-demographic data, history and food habits were collected. Mothers described three recipes (preparations) usually used in key baby foods. The findings were compared with those recommended by the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average age was 6.9 ± 1.6 months. Among infants, 241/404 (59.6%) were still breastfeeding. Among those who received another type of milk, 193/368 (52.4%) received whole cow's milk, while 151/368 (41.0%) drank infant or follow-on formulas. Regarding baby food recipes salted reported by mothers, it was seen that 30% and 60% contained meat and vegetables, respectively. The percentages less suitable for feeding in general were observed for use of cow's milk and added sugar, chocolate and cereal in feeding bottles; 79% and 80.5% of the families interviewed would adopted such practices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The early termination of exclusive/predominant breastfeeding and the practice of an inadequate transition diet have shown a picture of quantitatively and qualitatively inadequate feeding, with the risk of causing serious nutritional problems in later ages, such as anemia and vitamin A deficiency, or excess of nutrients, leading to obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemias.
authors.affiliation: PhD in Sciences from Unifesp. Affiliate Professor at the Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine of ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fabíola Isabel Suano de
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.affiliation: Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Michelle Cavalcante
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Caetano
authors.affiliation: Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thaís Tobaruela
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Ortiz
authors.affiliation: Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Simone Guerra Lopes da
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine of ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Roseli Oselka Saccardo
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Sarni
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001903:Bottle Feeding; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002417:Cattle; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D008297:Male; D008895:Milk, Human; D018673:Nutrition Policy / Q000639:trends; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires