Objective: To analyze the prevalence of breastfeeding and the introduction of
complementary food for zero to 24-month-old infants.Methods: This is a population-based cross-sectional study of children aged less than
24 months in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data were collected in
2015, by interviews with people in charge of infant care in the house. The
questionnaire administered assessed the sociodemographic status of the
family, maternal and infant characteristics and food consumption habits.
Survival analysis was used to calculate median prevalence and duration of
breastfeeding and the introduction of complementary feeding. Results: With 180 days of life, 4.0% of the children were exclusively breastfed,
22.4% were mostly breastfed and 43.4% were fed breast milk as complementary
food. In the third month of life, children were consuming water (56.8%),
fruit juice or formula (15.5%) and cow’s milk (10.6%). At the age of 12
months, 31.1% were consuming artificial juice and 50.0% were eating candies.
Before the age of 1 year, 25.0% of them had already eaten instant
noodles.Conclusions: The introduction of drinks, honey, sugar and candies as complementary food
was found to be premature; and solid and semi-solid foods were almost
appropriate. The habits described can directly affect the success of
breastfeeding. Given that the inadequate eating practices identified can
compromise the infant’s health, actions that promote breastfeeding and
provide guidance on the introduction of complementary foods are
important.