OBJECTIVE: To describe the dietary errors occurring when supplementary feeding is introduced and non-maternal milk is offered to children attending public daycare centers in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Cross-sectional and descriptive study of 255 children aged between five to 29 months. Pre-coded and structured questionnaires with open and closed questions were developed for data collection that occurred between April and November 2007. Such data were transcribed and analyzed by Epi-Info 2000 statistical software. The analyzed variables were the introduction of non-maternal milk, the introduction of foods and the initial solidity of supplementary feeding. RESULTS: The introduction of non-maternal milk occurred in 40% of children aged up to three months and in 78% up to six months. By the age of three months, approximately 50% received non-dairy liquids and 15%, strained fruits, vegetables, greens and meat. Regarding the introduction of non-maternal milk, 68% of babies received cow milk and 31%, infant formulas. Liver and fish were the latest foods to be offered. Regarding solidity of meals, 49% were inadequate. CONCLUSIONS: The fact that children attend public daycare centers points out the importance to properly qualify the professionals who work in such places and are eventually responsible for introducing the supplementary feeding.
supplementary feeding; food consumption; child day care centers; infant
