Infant feeding and factors related to breastfeeding

This study aimed to investigate the feeding and the factors related to breastfeeding of infants in the city of Picos-PI, Brazil. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in four Family Health Units, in April-May 2011, with 90 children under 12 months, whose mothers attended the units to vaccinate them. We used a form to obtain socioeconomic data of the family and the child and data on the food offered. The rates of exclusive breastfeeding and predominant breastfeeding were 57.8% and 47.8% respectively, and exclusive breastfeeding had a median duration of 1 month. The duration of exclusive breastfeeding presented a statistically significant (p<0.05) and positive association with: having been breastfed in the first hour of birth, maternal age, and mother’s level of education. We concluded that the feeding practices studied were inappropriate for children under one year