Abstract

FLORES, Evangelina Edith  and  PONTHOT, Paula. Breast feeding and complementary feeding, situation in a population of the metropolitan area population of Buenos Aires. Diaeta [online]. 2017, vol.35, n.158, pp.16-22. ISSN 1852-7337.

Introduction: Breastfeeding benefits child's growth for its nutritional and immunological characteristics. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) up to 6 months of age, and continue breastfeeding along with a safe and appropriate complementary feeding (CF) up to two years of age. Objectives: 1. Evaluate compliance with the WHO recommendations on EBF and CF in the population of the Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Dr. D. Paroissien (HP), in La Matanza. 2. Identify the mean age of completion of LME and of beginning of CF 3. Identify the main causes of noncompliance with the WHO recommendations on Exclusive Breastfeeding. Materials and method: A descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study. The sample included 279 Lactation Medical Records (LMR) between January-March 2015, conducted by nutritionist. Incomplete LMR and those belonging to primiparous women were excluded. Results: The mean age of completion of EBF was 4, 81 months, CF began at 6,03 months and the weaning was 15,2 months. EBF was continued until the sixth month in 44% of the cases. The incorporation of other kinds of milk (48%), the early start of CF (34%) or both (18%) influenced in the finalization of breastfeeding. The most common causes of incorporation of bottle feeding are myths and medical indication. From those who used bottle feeding, 81% used adequate milk. Opportune CF occurred in 57% of the cases. 23% of mothers began CF before 6 months of age. Early CF took place in 82% of the cases by the caregiver’s initiative. Conclusion: WHO dietary recommendations have a limited compliance in the study population. EBF is abandoned early due to unjustified causes. The caregiver's initiative and the medical advice generate an early incorporation of other drinks and CF. We need to reconsider the interventions that promote breastfeeding at HP to improve nutrition from the beginning of life of newly born babies.

Keywords : Exclusive breastfeeding; Complementary feeding; WHO recommendations; Weaning.