Abstract

GATICA, Cristina I.  and  MENDEZ DE FEU, María C.. Feeding practices in children aged under 2 years. Arch. argent. pediatr. [online]. 2009, vol.107, n.6, pp.496-503. ISSN 0325-0075.

Introduction. Good feeding practices allow to begin and to achieve healthy life styles. Objectives. To determine the duration of breastfeeding and age of introduction of complementary feeding, its type, composition of the meal and adults who provide it, in healthy children younger than 2 years in the provinces of Mendoza, San Juan and San Luis. To ascertain the social and demographic factors associated with them. Population and methods. Cross-sectional descriptive study. A voluntary group of pediatricians from the Cuyo Region of Argentina Paediatrics Society administered a survey on feeding practices in healthy children. Results. 741 surveys were obtain, 51.41% in public's institution. Children's age: 11.3 ± 6.1m. Feeding practices at the time of survey: 66.53% were breastfeeding; of the ones who were not breastfed: 95.12% had been breastfed, during: 7.8 ±5.2m. The youngest mothers showed more breastfeeding frequency. Children received: mush/porridge from 6m in 64.24%, enriched with oil, milk and cheese; meats: 73.28% from 7.8 ± 2.1m (rank 3-19) and eggs: 60.19% from 8.4 ± 2.6m (rank 3-20); sweetened beverages from 10.49 ± 3.52 m. First meal was offered by mother (88.72%) and she was usually in charge of feeding (91.44%). The TV was turned on during the meals at 50.87%. Conclusion. Breastfeeding was a frequent practice, greater in youngest mother. They were common: beginning of complementary feeding at 6 months, enrichment of the first meal; wide range of incorporation of eggs and meats, early incorporation of sweetened drinks and exposition to TV during the meal time. Usually, the mother was the one who fed the children.

Keywords : Feeding; Practice; Infant.

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