Investigação da introdução da alimentação complementar e conhecimento das mães de crianças menores de 2 anos frente esse processo.

Abstract

Adequate infant feeding is essential for the formation of healthy eating habits, which are influenced from pregnancy, breastfeeding and also during the introduction of complementary feeding (ICF). Thus, it is important to pay attention to the feeding practices carried out in the first years of life. Considering that an inadequate feeding can result in health problems, it is extremely important that mothers and family members seek information and improve their knowledge about the ICF process to ensure the healthy growth and development of the child. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the ICF of children aged 0 to 24 months, the knowledge and the main maternal difficulties presented during the ICF. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out for 10 days between June and July 2022, with mothers of children aged 0 to 24 months, residing in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. Conducted through an online, semi-structured questionnaire, the sample being defined by the snowball technique, made available through a link through social networks and e-mail. The outcomes evaluated were the ICF performed with the children; maternal knowledge and the main difficulties encountered by mothers during the ICF process. A total of 40 participants were evaluated, who indicated the performance of the ICF in the children evaluated properly, at 6 months and based on the supply of in natura and minimally processed foods. It was found that most mothers showed knowledge of the current recommendations on ICF, assertively reporting the guidelines regarding age, consistency and type of food. Still, the greatest difficulty evidenced was regarding the type/group of food to be offered. Through the study it can be concluded that the participants have good knowledge about the recommendations of the Food Guide for Brazilian children under 2 years old, which favored the adequate ICF, in order to provide the formation of healthy eating habits for the child. However, despite the knowledge, they presented some difficulties in the ICF process, which proves the importance of maintaining nutritional feed education actions for the optimization of healthy eating practices in childhood.