Abstract Objective: To describe the type of milk used to feed infants seen in private pediatric practices in Brazil. To evaluate the relationship between breastfeeding, type of delivery, and history of prematurity. Methods: This is a cross-sectional and observational study that included 4929 infants in the first year of life seen in private pediatric practices in the five geographic regions of Brazil. Mothers provided information about the type of milk used by their infant, the type of delivery (vaginal or cesarean), and whether the birth was premature. Results: Breastfeeding was the only source of milk for 56.1% (1546/2755) of infants in the first six months of life and 32.9% (716/2174) in the second. Of the infants who received other types of milk besides breastfeeding, there was a predominance of infant formula in 98.6% and 93.8% of the infants, respectively, in the first and in the second six months of life. Whole cow's milk was used by 0.7% (20/2755) of infants in the first six months and by 4.1% (90/2174) of infants in the second (p < 0.001). In the first six months of life, breastfeeding as the only type of milk was associated with vaginal delivery (OR = 1.79; p < 0.001) and not having a history of prematurity (OR = 2.48; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Breastfeeding was the only milk source for more than half of infants before 180 days of life. Birth by cesarean section and history of prematurity were negatively associated with breastfeeding as the only source of milk used in infant feeding.

Resumo Objetivo Verificar o perfil alimentar do lactente e do pré-escolar brasileiro, na faixa de 6 meses a 6 anos, a partir da análise qualitativa e quantitativa do consumo de alimentos e nutrientes. Fontes de dados Nesta revisão foram analisados estudos feitos no Brasil que apresentavam dados de inquéritos alimentares de lactentes e pré-escolares. A busca foi limitada às publicações dos últimos dez anos, incluídas nas bases de dados eletrônicas Lilacs e Medline. Síntese dos dados Na pesquisa inicial foram identificados 1.480 artigos, 1.411 foram excluídos após análise dos resumos, por ser repetidos ou não preencher os critérios de inclusão. Dos 69 artigos avaliados na íntegra, foram selecionados 31 que continham dados sobre alimentação. Apenas três trabalhos avaliaram concomitantemente crianças de diferentes regiões geográficas brasileiras. Dos artigos analisados, oito apresentavam informações qualitativas, com análise descritiva da frequência de consumo alimentar, e 23 informações predominantemente quantitativas, com dados de consumo energético e de nutrientes. Conclusões Os artigos analisados na presente revisão apresentaram resultados bastante heterogêneos, o que dificultou a comparação dos achados. De um modo geral, a alimentação do lactente e do pré-escolar é caracterizada pelo baixo consumo de carnes, frutas, legumes e verduras, por elevado consumo de leite de vaca e inadequação no preparo de mamadeiras, além de precoce e elevado consumo de frituras, doces, refrigerantes e sal. Nossos resultados constituem subsídios para a elaboração de estratégias que visem a melhorar a qualidade da alimentação do lactente e do pré-escolar brasileiro.

Abstract Objective To assess the feeding profile of Brazilian infants and preschool children aged 6 months to 6 years, based on the qualitative and quantitative analysis of food and nutrient intake. Data source This review analyzed studies carried out in Brazil that had food survey data on infants and preschool children. The search was limited to publications from the last 10 years included in the LILACS and MEDLINE electronic databases. Data summary The initial search identified 1480 articles, of which 1411 were excluded after the analysis of abstracts, as they were repeated or did not meet the inclusion criteria. Of the 69 articles assessed in full, 31 articles contained data on food survey and were selected. Only three studies concurrently assessed children from different Brazilian geographical regions. Of the assessed articles, eight had qualitative data, with descriptive analysis of food consumption frequency, and 23 had predominantly quantitative data, with information on energy and nutrient consumption. Conclusions The articles assessed in this review showed very heterogeneous results, making it difficult to compare findings. Overall, the feeding of infants and preschool children is characterized by low consumption of meat, fruits, and vegetables; high consumption of cow's milk and inadequate preparation of bottles; as well as early and high intake of fried foods, candies/sweets, soft drinks, and salt. These results provide aid for the development of strategies that aim to achieve better quality feeding of Brazilian infants and preschoolers.