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[Breastfeeding patterns and energy adequacy].
Fabíola Figueiredo Nejar1, Ana Maria Segall-Corrêa, Marina Ferreira Rea
1Departamento de Medicina Preventiva e Social, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brasil. fnejar@iconet.com.br
Cadernos De Saude Publica
|March 19, 2004
Summary
Infant caloric intake from breast milk was adequate for exclusively breastfed infants under six months in Brazil. Early weaning did not compromise energy needs for most infants studied.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
- Public Health
Context:
- Infant feeding practices are crucial for child development and public health.
- Early childhood nutrition in developing countries faces unique challenges.
- Understanding caloric adequacy in early infancy is vital for growth monitoring.
Purpose:
- To assess the caloric adequacy of breast milk consumption in infants up to six months of age.
- To estimate breast milk volume and energy intake using established regression equations and guidelines.
- To analyze infant feeding patterns, including duration of exclusive breastfeeding and introduction of substitutes.
Summary:
- A cross-sectional study analyzed 118 infants in Campinas, Brazil, assessing breast milk volume and energy intake.
- Mean breast milk volume was estimated around 560 ml across different feeding patterns.
- Energy consumption was found to be adequate for exclusively breastfed infants and above recommendations for supplemented infants.
Impact:
- Findings suggest that breast milk provides sufficient energy for infants under six months in this Brazilian cohort.
- Early weaning practices were observed, highlighting the need for continued breastfeeding support.
- The study provides valuable data for public health interventions aimed at optimizing infant nutrition in similar settings.