Breastfeeding practices in northeastern Brazil

Of 87 children followed up during a longitudinal study of infant health and feeding practices in a small city in northeastern Brazil, only 1 in 10 were still receiving breastfeeding exclusively at the age of 1 month. Their mothers were interviewed to identify factors influencing early introduction of supplementary feeding. The mothers appeared to believe that they themselves were insufficiently well-nourished to be able to provide breast milk of good quality and sufficient volume to satisfy the babies. Mothers-in-law, mothers and husbands played not insignificant roles in decisions about the feeding of young babies. On the basis of the findings of this study, recommendations are made to encourage delay in the introduction of supplementary feeding in this setting.