Infant feeding in a low‐income Brazilian community

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Abstract
Infant feeding practices of infants from birth to 12 months were studied in a shantytown near Brasilia, Brazil. Anthropometric data, income and feeding practices were analyzed under 6 months of age, and use of breast and powdered milk formula was most frequent; from 6 to 12 months cow's milk and family foods predominated. This field study and other findings suggest that, while breast feeding is a desirable practice which should always be encouraged, its effective use as the only source of infant nutrition is possible only in ideal circumstances and for a period ranging from two months to six months. It is not a panacea nor at the other extreme, should health workers prescribe diets which poor mothers cannot afford. Further, if health professionals do not provide correct and practical guidance, mothers will ignore their recommendations and provide their own solutions, based on tradition, trial and error, or relatives’ and neighbors’ advice.

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