Breastfeeding in the town of Paulinia, S. Paulo State (Brazil)

Abstract

In 1977 a survey was carried out in the municipality of Paulínia, State of S. Paulo, with the purpose of obtaining information on the breastfeeding of children up to two years of age. The survey would provide base line data for the evaluation of a breastfeeding promotion program, that was to be carried out later. The children's mean age at weaning was 3.3 months, and 2.2 months when they started bottle feeding. At the end of the; first month, 74% of the children were breastfed and 57% were fully breastfed. Children whose mothers were at least 28 years old were fully breastfed for a significantly longer period than children with younger mothers. Urban/rural residence and the sex of the children had no influence on the duration of breastfeeding.