Conhecimento sobre aleitamento materno e alimentação complementar: um estudo com os cuidadores de instituições de educação infantil no município de Caicó-RN.

Abstract

The care in the formation of eating habits of children, especially to the 2nd year of life, should be emphasized as it is in this phase of childhood that must be built healthy food base that will endure for the other cycles of life. Thus, the customs may impact positively or negatively, and depend on food choices and the experience both in family, cultural and educational environment, especially in nurseries. This study aimed to diagnose the knowledge of employees of educational institutions of Caico / RN on breastfeeding and complementary feeding, characterizing infant feeding practices of these educational institutions. To analyze the situation, semi-structured questionnaires whose questions contemplated themes for the discernment of breastfeeding and complementary feeding inherent aspects. The study population consisted of 64 (sixty four) employees / caregivers from two municipal day care centers, represented by school directors, coordinators, early childhood educators, room assistants and cooks / cooks in the period four weeks. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel 2010 program and then the bank was transferred to IBM SPSS Statistical version 2.0 and performed the data analysis. The demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, the age of the employees was less than 50 years, most had being married with children and had higher education. The amount of hits in relation to exclusive breastfeeding on issues surpassed those of complementary feeding, especially over the age of introduction and the same as the recommended period for the meat supply and sugar to children. Other questions were positive about the prohibition of whole cow's milk, negative influence of pacifier and bottle, milk preparation. Employees did not report receiving information on infant feeding to assume the function. On infant feeding practices, it was negative, where it was found the food supply unsuitable for children under six months of exclusive breastfeeding (cow's milk and / or juice). We conclude, therefore, that the knowledge of staff are insufficient to promote good nutrition, requiring intervention with the practice of training for them on child nutrition.