Feeding practices and associated factors in the first year of life in a representative sample of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Objective The present study aimed to investigate the adequacy of feeding practices in the first year of life and associated factors in the city of Porto Alegre (RS). Methods This cross-sectional study was performed during the national vaccination campaign in 2008. Two-stage cluster sampling was used and 1,099 children under one year of age were evaluated at 31 vaccination sites. Maternal and breastfeeding data and the use of pacifiers, infant formulas, tea, water, complementary foods and low-nutrient foods were investigated using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the association between maternal characteristics, use of pacifiers and infant feeding practices. Results The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 47.1% in children aged up to four months and 21.4% in children aged four to six months. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was higher in children who did not use pacifiers, who were not firstborns and whose mothers were on maternity leave or not employed. Better complementary feeding practices were observed among employed mothers with higher education level. Conclusion This study evidenced the existence of risk factors for early discontinuation of exclusive breastfeeding and inappropriate feeding practices.