OBJECTIVES: to determine daily weight and lenght gain plus anthropometric rates increment with breast feeding regime in children up to six months of age. METHODS: cross-cutting study conducted in the Healthcare Clinics of 12 cities in the five regions of Brazil using a sample of 3172 children. Variables were: anthropometric rates (weight for age, weight for height, height for age), birth weight, birth length, current length, velocity of average daily increment of weight and length; regimes of exclusive and predominant breast feeding and the use of formulas. RESULTS: it was found a positive association of velocity in weight and height gains and of anthropometric rates in children fed in an exclusive and predominant breastfeeding regime in the first months of life, adjusted with factors such as age, weight and length at birth, gender and mother's education level. CONCLUSIONS: breast feeding regime, particularly in the first months has a positive impact in adequate growth together with factors such as mothers' education level in the group of children over five years old and weight at birth.
Growth; Breast feeding; Height; Body weight and measures; Nutrition
