Abstract

This study evaluated factors associated with the consumption of breast milk (BM), infant formula (IF) and cow milk (CM) in children. This was a cohort study with 256 children followed-up at the 1st, 4th and 6th month of age in Viçosa (MG), Brazil. With respect to CM and IF, consumption was recorded regardless of BM intake. Regarding BM, only exclusive or predominant consumption was considered. From the 1st to the 6th month, an increase was recorded in the number of children who did not consume BM exclusively or predominantly (31.6%), as well as the consumption of CM (27.2%) and IF (9.3%). BM was associated with pacifier use at 1st month, and mother's employment status and pacifier use in the 4th and 6th month. Pacifier use was a risk factor for IF consumption in every month, while belonging to the lower income group was inversely associated in the 6th month. As for CM, the number of prenatal visits was a risk factor in every month, the mother's employment status and use of pacifier in the 4th month, family income, mother's employment status, low birth weight, number of prenatal visits and pacifier use in the 6th month. Since the 1st month, the introduction of other milk types is high, revealing that there is still much to go to ensure exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months.

Key words
Breastfeeding; Child; Human milk replacers

Introduction

Exclusive breastfeeding up to six months is recommended as an ideal feeding practice for children's health and development¹1. Campagnolo PDB, Louzada MLDC, Silveira EL, Vitolo MR. Práticas alimentares no primeiro ano de vida e fatores associados em amostra representativa da cidade de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. Revista de Nutrição 2012; 25(4):431-439.^,22. Freitas TCSB, Silva SC, Chaves RG, Lamounier JA. Prevalência do aleitamento materno e fatores associados à interrupção da amamentação em mulheres militares. Revista Paulista de Pediatria 2012; 30(4):493-498.. Breast milk has all the required nutrients for the child during this period and it contributes to the strengthening of the immune system, reducing the risk of infant mortality and bringing motor and cognitive benefits³3. Bezerra VLVA, Nisiyama AL, Jorge AL, Cardoso RM, Silva EFD, Tristão RM. Aleitamento materno exclusivo e fatores associados a sua interrupção precoce: estudo comparativo entre 1999 e 2008. Revista Paulista de Pediatria 2012; 30(2):173-179.. Non-breastfed children have a higher risk of micronutrient inadequacy as they tend to have worse eating practices⁴4. Caetano MC, Ortiz TTO, Silva SGL, Souza FIS, Sarni ROS. Alimentação complementar: práticas inadequadas em lactentes. J. Pediatr. (Rio J.) 2010; 86(3):196-201..

According to the Second National Survey of Prevalence of Breastfeeding in the Brazilian Capitals and Federal District, the introduction of other types of milk in the feeding of children under six months is precocious, with prevalence of 18% in the first month and 48.8% among the fourth and sixth month⁵5. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde (MS). 2ª Pesquisa de Prevalência de Aleitamento Materno nas Capitais Brasileiras e Distrito Federal. Brasília: MS; 2009.. This introduction may increase infant morbimortality due to the lower intake of breast milk protective factors and a higher risk of contamination⁶6. Kaufmann CC, Albernaz EP, Silveira RBD, Silva MBD, Mascarenhas MLW. Alimentação nos primeiros três meses de vida dos bebês de uma coorte na cidade de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. Revista Paulista de Pediatria 2012; 30(2):157-165.. Therefore, the introduction of infant formulas as a substitute for breast milk in the feeding of children under one year is recommended⁷7. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde (MS). Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Departamento de Atenção Básica. Dez passos para uma alimentação saudável: guia alimentar para crianças menores de dois anos:um guia para o profissional da saúde na atenção básica. 2ª ed. Brasília: MS; 2010. only in situations of absolute impossibility of breastfeeding.

Low socioeconomic level of families, low schooling level and mother's age, mother's return to work and the use of pacifiers are some of the factors associated with the early introduction of other milk types and other foods, described in the literature⁸8. Saldiva SRDM, Venancio SI, Gouveia AG, Castro AL, Escuder MM, Giugliani ER. Regional influence on early consumption of foods other than breast milk in infants less than 6 months of age in Brazilian State capitals and the Federal District. Cad Saude Publica 2011; 27(11):2253-22562.^,99. Silva LMP, Venâncio SI, Marchioni DML. Práticas de alimentação complementar no primeiro ano de vida e fatores associados. Revista de Nutrição 2010; 23(6):983-992.. There are several studies dedicated to evaluating factors associated with the interruption of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). However, few have examined the factors related to the intake of cow milk and infant formula, which are the main substitutes for breast milk in the first six months of life¹⁰10. Oliveira LP, Assis AM, Gomes GS, Prado MS, Barreto ML. Breastfeeding duration, infant feeding regimes, and factors related to living conditions in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Cad Saude Publica 2005; 21(5):1519-1530.^,1111. Niquini RP, Bittencourt SA, Lacerda EMdA, Leal MC. Fatores associados à introdução precoce de leite artificial, Município do Rio de Janeiro, 2007. Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia 2009; 12(3):446-457..

The type of milk consumed by the child is reflected on weight gain and other aspects of child health¹²12. Siega-Riz AM, Deming DM, Reidy KC, Fox MK, Condon E, Briefel RR. Food consumption patterns of infants and toddlers: where are we now? J Am Diet Assoc 2010; 110(12 Supl.):S38-S51.. The intake of milk formulas is indicated in some studies as a factor that predisposes to being overweight, due to the higher protein content in its composition, compared to breast milk¹³13. Koletzko B1, von Kries R, Closa R, Escribano J, Scaglioni S, Giovannini M, Beyer J, Demmelmair H, Anton B, Gruszfeld D, Dobrzanska A, Sengier A, Langhendries JP, Rolland Cachera MF, Grote V. Can infant feeding choices modulate later obesity risk? Am J Clin Nutr 2009; 89(5):1502S-1508S.^–1515. Weber M1, Grote V, Closa-Monasterolo R, Escribano J, Langhendries JP, Dain E, Giovannini M, Verduci E, Gruszfeld D, Socha P, Koletzko B; European Childhood Obesity Trial Study Group. Lower protein content in infant formula reduces BMI and obesity risk at school age: follow-up of a randomized trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2014; 99(5):1041-1051.. Cow milk, in turn, has high protein and energy content and poor amount of essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals for this age group. Its consumption has also been associated with the development of atopy, overweight, anemia and intestinal microhemorrhages in children under one year¹⁶16. Lakshman R, Griffin S, Hardeman W, Schiff A, Kin-month AL, Ong KK. Using the Medical Research Council framework for the development and evaluation of complex interventions in a theory-based infant feeding intervention to prevent childhood obesity: the baby milk intervention and trial. J Obes 2014; 2014: 646504.^–1818. Agostoni C, Turck D. Is cow's milk harmful to a child's health? J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2011; 53(6):594-600..

Therefore, it is relevant to investigate factors associated with the milk ingested by children from the early stages, such as in the first semester of life, in order to identify the risk factors to adequate food intake in this period. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the factors associated with the consumption of breast milk, cow milk and milk formulas in children monitored in the 1^st, 4^th and ^6th month of life.

Methods

This is a cohort study originated at birth with follow-up of children in the 1^st, 4^th and 6^th month of life in the municipality of Viçosa (MG), Brazil. The municipality is located in the Zona da Mata Mineira region, 227 km from the capital Belo Horizonte, with an area of 299.418 km²2. Freitas TCSB, Silva SC, Chaves RG, Lamounier JA. Prevalência do aleitamento materno e fatores associados à interrupção da amamentação em mulheres militares. Revista Paulista de Pediatria 2012; 30(4):493-498. and an estimated population of 76,745 residents in the year 2014¹⁹19. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). [acessado 2014 Nov 25]. Disponível em: http://www.cidades.ibge.gov.br/xtras/perfil.php?lang=&codmun=317130&search=minas-gerais%7Cvicosa%7Cinfograficos:-informacoes-completas.
http://www.cidades.ibge.gov.br/xtras/per... .

A pilot study was conducted at the Municipal Polyclinic of Viçosa with all staff members in order to test the application of the semi-structured questionnaire. Children of the same age group and with characteristics similar to those of this study were evaluated, but not included in the analysis.

The invitation to enter the study was conducted between October 2011 and October 2012, at the only hospital performing deliveries in the city. Pregnant women were contacted at the hospital by a team member during confinement and were invited to participate in the research. The next consultations were scheduled with mothers who accepted to participate.

The study included children living in Viçosa-MG, born in the city's only maternity hospital and who did not have congenital malformations or syndromes and were not from multiple gestations. The child hospitalized in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was considered an exclusion criterion. Specifically for this manuscript, prematurity was also adopted as exclusion criterion. There were losses due to early hospital discharge or refusal and also mothers who accepted, at first, to participate in the study, but did not attend the first visit.

We decided to work with the 1^st, 4^th and 6^th month, in order to observe factors associated with outcomes early (in the 1^st month); in the ^4th and 6^th months, because they are crucial moments for weaning, since mothers return to work; and in the case of the 6^th month, because it is also the age limit of recommended exclusive breast-feeding.

The power of the study was calculated, since an initial sample size was not obtained. The OpenEpi program (Dean AG, Sullivan KM, Soe MM, OpenEpi: Open Source Epidemiologic Statistics for Public Health, http://www.OpenEpi.com) was used. Considering a 95% confidence interval and the risk estimates for the variable use of pacifiers and breast milk, milk formula and cow milk, a power of 99% was obtained for the study of factors associated with breast milk consumption, 94% for milk formula and 79% for cow milk.

The first interview with mothers was carried out in the first month of life, at the time of vaccination, at the Municipal Polyclinic of Viçosa, a reference site for children's immunization in the city. The following interviews were conducted in the 4^th and 6^th month. Information on the types of milk consumed by children, the socioeconomic variables, those related to children and the mother were obtained through semi-structured questionnaires.

For cow milk and milk formulas, consumption was measured regardless of the intake of breast milk, considering, therefore, the introduction of these types of milk in infant feeding. Regarding breast milk, only its exclusive or predominant intake was assessed (when, in addition to breast milk, liquids such as water and teas are consumed)²⁰20. World Health Organization (WHO). Informal Meeting to Review and Develop Indicators for Complementary Feeding. Washington: WHO; 2002..

The socioeconomic variables were household income, mother's age, mother's schooling, head of household's schooling and mother's employment status. The mother's age was categorized using the cutoff point of 19 full years to define adolescent and adult mothers²¹21. World Health Organization (WHO). Physical status: use and interpretation of antropometry. Report of WHO Expert Committee. [WHO Technical Report Series, 854]. Geneva: WHO; 1995.. The head of the household was the one with the highest income at home.

Birth weight was obtained on the child's card at the time of the first evaluation. Birth weight was categorized as low (< 2500g) and not low²²22. Lamy Filho F, Assunção Júnior AN, Silva AAM, Lamy ZC, Barbieri MA, Bettiol H. Social inequality and perinatal health: comparison of three Brazilian cohorts. Braz J Med Biol Res 2007; 40(9):1177-1186.. Pacifier use was also investigated and reported by the mother in all months of the follow-up. The number of prenatal consultations was analyzed as a mother-related variable, and less than six visits being was inadequate²³23. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde (MS). Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Departamento de Ações Programáticas Estratégicas. Pré-natal e Puerpério: atenção qualificada e humanizada - manual técnico. Brasília: MS; 2005..

All children involved in the study had their Informed Consent Form signed by their mother or legal guardian. The Human Research Ethics Committee, Federal University of Viçosa approved this study. Research was funded by the State of Minas Gerais Research Support Foundation.

Statistical analyses were performed in Stata 12.0 software. The distribution of losses was compared according to the types of milk consumed, socioeconomic and birth variables, number of prenatal consultations and pacifier use. At the onset of the follow-up, no mother was working, so it was not possible to compare the distribution of the mother's employment status variable between followed-up and not followed-up. Work during pregnancy variable was then used as a proxy for mother's employment status, since it is believed that most mothers who worked during pregnancy returned to work until the child was six months old. Pearson's chi-square test was used to verify differences between the characteristics of followed-up and not followed-up children.

A regression analysis was performed to evaluate factors related to milk types consumed by children. Intake of cow milk, milk formulas and breast milk were taken as dependent variables. Reference categories were coded as “zero” and risk categories as “one”. Cow milk and milk formulas intake and non-consumption of exclusive or predominant breast milk were defined as risk situations. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to calculate relative risk and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Initially, the bivariate regression analysis was performed and independent variables with p-value < 0.20 were included in the multivariate analysis. For all analyzes, p<0.05 was considered as level of significance.

Results

At the onset of the study, 460 children from the municipality were followe-up. However, 247 children without prematurity and with all records of the variables of interest at the 1^st, 4^th and ^6th months were selected for this manuscript. Throughout the study, despite efforts made by the team to ensure mothers' attendance, such as telephone calls reminding them of the monthly follow-up, 204 mothers did not participate in follow-ups every month. From the first to the fourth month, 124 mothers did not attend, and from fourth to sixth, 80 mothers were absent (Figure 1). Therefore, there was a loss of 46.3% over the follow-up.

In order to verify differences between monitored and not monitored children, children were compared as to their sociodemographic and birth characteristics, the number of prenatal consultations and pacifier use. No selection bias was observed due to differential losses.

Graph 1 shows the trend of breast milk, milk formulas and cow milk intake among the children followed-up. A reduced consumption of exclusive or predominant breast milk was observed over the months. It should be noted that, in the very first month, almost 25% of children were no longer exclusively or predominantly breastfed. On the other hand, the consumption of cow milk showed an upward trend, as did milk formulas. This trend evidenced a decline of exclusive or predominant breast milk consumption over the months, and the adoption of cow milk as the main replacer in these children's feeding.

It was observed that, in the 1^st month of life, children who used pacifiers were 1.90 times more at risk (CI 95% - 1.19-3.04) of not consuming breast milk exclusively or predominantly (Table 1). In the 4^th month, children of working mothers were 1.73 times more at risk of not consuming breast milk exclusively or predominantly (95% CI – 1.33-2.24), and in children who used pacifiers, this risk was 1.77 times greater (95% CI – 1.34-2.35) (Table 1). Finally, in the 6^th month, children whose mothers worked were 1.70 times more at risk of not consuming breast milk exclusively or predominantly (95% CI – 1.36-2.13), and those who used pacifiers, 1.42 more at risk (95% CI – 1.15-1.75) (Table 1).

The results of the regression analysis of the factors associated with the intake of milk formulas in the 1^st month shown in Table 2 evidence that only pacifier use was associated with higher consumption of milk formulas and remained significant after the adjusted analysis. In children who used pacifiers, the risk of consuming milk formulas was 1.81 times higher than in those who did not use (CI95% - 1.11-2.95) (Table 2).

In the 4^th month, mother's employment status and pacifier use remained significant in the adjusted analysis, and the risk of consuming milk formulas was 1.63 times higher in children whose mothers worked (CI95% – 1.14-2.35) and 1.72 times greater in children who used pacifiers (CI95% - 1.18-2.51) (Table 2).

In the 6^th month, lower household income was inversely associated with the consumption of milk formulas and the use of pacifiers directly. In the adjusted analysis, we observed that children with lower household income had a 45% lower risk of consuming milk formulas (CI95% - 0.38-0.80), while those who used pacifiers were 1.44 times more at risk of consuming formula (CI95 % - 1.01-2.06) (Table 2).

Table 3 shows the results of the analysis of the factors associated with the intake of cow milk in children in the 1^st, 4^th and 6^th month of life. In the first month, the consumption of cow milk was associated with low birth weight and the number of prenatal consultations in the multivariate analysis. Children born underweight and daughters of mothers who attended less than six consultations during prenatal care were at a higher risk of consuming cow milk.

In the 4^th month, mother's employment status remained significant in the adjusted analysis, with a higher risk of the child consuming cow milk when the mother worked (RR = 2.18; 95% CI; 1.13-4.18). Children of mothers who had less than six prenatal care visits (RR = 2.10; 95% CI; 1.07-4.13) and children who used pacifiers also were at a higher risk of consuming cow milk (RR = 2.26; 95% CI; 1.18-4.29) (Table 3).

In the 6^th month, the results of the adjusted analysis showed that the risk of consuming cow milk is higher in children with lower income families (RR = 2.80; 95% CI; 1.37-5.73); in children of working mothers (RR = 2.15; 95% CI; 1.49-3.09), who had performed less than six visits during prenatal care (RR = 1.60; 95% CI; 1.08-2.38), and in children who used pacifiers (RR = 1.82; 95% CI; 1.25-2.64) (Table 3).

Discussion

This study investigated factors associated with the intake of breast milk, milk formulas and cow milk by children of a birth cohort followed-up at the 1^st, 4^th and 6^th month of life.

The trend of milk intake and formula analyzed in this study identified the declining consumption of exclusive or predominant breast milk and increased cow milk intake over the follow-up months. These results reveal the adoption of cow milk as the main replacer of breast milk in the feeding of these children over time. In the study by Bortolini et al.¹⁷17. Bortolini GA, Vitolo MR, Gubert MB, Santos LM. Early cow's milk consumption among Brazilian children: results of a national survey. J Pediatr (Rio J) 2013; 89(6):608-613., the prevalence of cow milk consumption in children under six months was 62.4%, which is higher than that observed in this study. However, similarly, authors found that cow milk was the main substitute for breast milk. These findings indicate a serious inadequacy in the dietary practices of these children, since cow milk consumption is not recommended before the first year of life²⁴24. Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria (SBP). Manual de orientação para a alimentação do lactente, do pré-escolar, do escolar, do adolescente e na escola. 3ª ed. Rio de Janeiro: Departamento de Nutrologia; 2012..

The use of pacifier was the risk factor that was most associated with the non-consumption of exclusive or predominant breast milk and the intake of milk formulas and cow milk. Secondly, mother's employment status is highlighted in the fourth and sixth month, coinciding with the moment maternity leave usually expires and mothers return to work, reducing their contact with the baby.

The use of pacifier showed a risk factor for lack of exclusive or predominant breastfeeding and for the consumption of cow milk and milk formulas in all months, except in the first month for children who consumed cow milk and in the sixth month for those who consumed milk formula. These results are in addition to those of several studies that point to the negative association between pacifier use and exclusive breast-feeding²⁵25. Feldens CA, Vitolo MR, Rauber F, Cruz LN, Hilgert JB. Risk factors for discontinuing breastfeeding in southern Brazil: a survival analysis. Matern Child Health J 2012; 16(6):1257-1265.^–2828. Rius JM, Ortuno J, Rivas C, Maravall M, Calzado M A, Lopez A,Aguar M, Vento M. Factors associated with early weaning in a Spanish region. An Pediatr (Barc) 2014; 80(1):6-15.. It is believed that children who use pacifiers position the tongue incorrectly on the mother's breast the time of breastfeeding. As a result, they cannot suck the milk and eventually reject it, which favors the interruption of EBF, since the mother tends to use other types of milk to satisfy the child²⁹29. Castilho SD, Rocha MA. Pacifier habit: history and multidisciplinary view. J Pediatr (Rio J) 2009; 85(6):480-489.. In addition, mothers provide breast milk less frequently for children who use pacifiers, which contributes to reduced milk production, resulting in the need for supplementation with other milks or foods³⁰30. Chaves RG, Lamounier JA, César CC. Fatores associados com a duração do aleitamento materno. Jornal de Pediatria 2007; 83(3):241-246..

However, the relationship between pacifier use and breastfeeding is controversial, since some studies found no association or causal relationship between them³¹31. Jaafar SH, Jahanfar S, Angolkar M, Ho JJ. Pacifier use versus no pacifier use in breastfeeding term infants for increasing duration of breastfeeding. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2011; 16(3):CD007202.^,3232. O'Connor NR, Tanabe KO, Siadaty MS, Hauck FR. Pacifiers and breastfeeding: a systematic review. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2009; 163(4):378-382.. There are also authors who acknowledge the association of pacifier use with early weaning, not as a causal factor, but as a marker of mothers' anxiety and difficulties with breastfeeding³²32. O'Connor NR, Tanabe KO, Siadaty MS, Hauck FR. Pacifiers and breastfeeding: a systematic review. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2009; 163(4):378-382.^,3333. Benis MM. Are pacifiers associated with early weaning from breastfeeding? Adv Neonatal Care 2002; 2(5):259-266..

In the adjusted analyses, maternal labor was a risk factor for the non-consumption of breast milk exclusively or predominantly in the 4^th and ^6th month, for the consumption of milk formulas in the 4^th month and of cow milk in the 4^th and 6^th month. Mother's employment status is a risk factor for the interruption of exclusive breastfeeding and, consequently, for the introduction of other milk types, favored by decreased contact between mother and child⁶6. Kaufmann CC, Albernaz EP, Silveira RBD, Silva MBD, Mascarenhas MLW. Alimentação nos primeiros três meses de vida dos bebês de uma coorte na cidade de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. Revista Paulista de Pediatria 2012; 30(2):157-165.^,1111. Niquini RP, Bittencourt SA, Lacerda EMdA, Leal MC. Fatores associados à introdução precoce de leite artificial, Município do Rio de Janeiro, 2007. Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia 2009; 12(3):446-457.. Law Nº 11.770/08 ensures maternity leave for 180 days for federal public servants. However, employees of some private companies, domestic servants, farm workers, self-employed women and informally employed women are not yet protected by this law³⁴34. Demetrio F, Pinto Ede J, Assis AM. Factors associated with early breastfeeding cessation: a birth cohort study in two municipalities in the Reconcavo region, Bahia State, Brazil. Cad Saude Publica 2012; 28(4):641-650.^,3535. Salustiano LPQ, Diniz ALD, Abdallah VOS, Pinto RMC. Fatores associados à duração do aleitamento materno em crianças menores de seis meses. Rev. Bras. Ginecol. Obstet. 2012; 34(1):28-33.. Failure to ensure maternity leave for the appropriate period is a strong determinant of EBF interruption before the six months period²⁶26. Leone CR, Sadeck LDSR. Fatores de risco associados ao desmame em crianças até seis meses de idade no município de São Paulo. Revista Paulista de Pediatria 2012; 30(1):21-26.. Therefore, improvements in the legal framework to ensure timely maternity leave to all mothers can have positive effects on breastfeeding and possibly reduce the early introduction of other milk products.

The lower number of consultations during the prenatal period remained as a risk factor for the consumption of cow milk in the 1^st, 4^th and ^6th month in the adjusted analysis. This result is possibly due to the lower access of mothers to information about adequate dietary practices. The consultations carried out during prenatal care are an important health education tool for the mother-and-child group. Moreover, it is a useful space to encourage exclusive breastfeeding up to six months, especially within PHC facilities, where it is common to find activities with pregnant women groups³⁴34. Demetrio F, Pinto Ede J, Assis AM. Factors associated with early breastfeeding cessation: a birth cohort study in two municipalities in the Reconcavo region, Bahia State, Brazil. Cad Saude Publica 2012; 28(4):641-650.^,3636. Domingues RM, Hartz ZM, Dias MA, Leal Mdo C. Adequacy of prenatal care in the National Health System in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Cad Saude Publica 2012; 28(3):425-437..

Lower income was a risk factor for the intake of cow milk in the 6^th month. Early introduction of cow milk has also been associated with lower income in other studies¹⁰10. Oliveira LP, Assis AM, Gomes GS, Prado MS, Barreto ML. Breastfeeding duration, infant feeding regimes, and factors related to living conditions in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Cad Saude Publica 2005; 21(5):1519-1530.^,3737. Wijndaele K, Lakshman R, Landsbaugh JR, Ong KK, Ogilvie D. Determinants of early weaning and use of unmodified cow's milk in infants: a systematic review. J Am Diet Assoc 2009; 109(12):2017-2028.. Children of lower-in-come families tend to adopt cow milk as breast milk replacer, probably because of the higher cost of infant formulas. This hypothesis is corroborated by the fact that, in this study, lower household was inversely associated with the consumption of milk formulas in the 6^th month. In a comparative study of infant feeding costs, purchase of milk formulas expenditure averaged 35% of the minimum wage, while purchase of cow milk accounted for about 11%³⁸38. Araújo MdFMd, Del Fiaco A, Pimentel LS, Schmitz BdAS. Custo e economia da prática do aleitamento materno para a família. 2 Rev. Bras. Saude Mater. Infant. 2004; 4(2):135-141.. In addition, it is worth noting that although breast milk has zero cost to the mother, when returning to work, it is hard for mothers to sustain breastfeeding, which makes them resort to other types of milk. Probably, among the lowest-income mothers, cow milk becomes the first option because it is cheaper.

The early introduction of cow milk increases the vulnerability to the development of obesity and other chronic diseases in childhood, as it can promote greater weight gain and adiposity³⁹39. Bonuck KA, Huang V, Fletcher J. Inappropriate bottle use: an early risk for overweight? Literature review and pilot data for a bottle-weaning trial. Matern Child Nutr 2010; 6(1):38-52.. In addition, there is evidence that the consumption of cow milk before the first year of life is associated with the development of iron-deficiency anemia due to the lower bioavailability of iron compared to breast milk, besides causing intestinal microhemorrhages, aggravating symptoms of this deficiency⁴⁰40. Dias MCAP, Freire LMS, Franceschini SdCC. Recomendações para alimentação complementar de crianças menores de dois anos. Revista de Nutrição 2010; 23(3):475-486.. Cow milk is also a very allergenic food, due to the large amount of protein in its composition, which can cause atopy when consumed early¹⁷17. Bortolini GA, Vitolo MR, Gubert MB, Santos LM. Early cow's milk consumption among Brazilian children: results of a national survey. J Pediatr (Rio J) 2013; 89(6):608-613..

Low birth weight was associated with cow milk intake in the first month of life. It is believed that babies born with low birth weight have a lower sucking capacity, which would represent a reduced stimulus for adequate milk production, increasing the risk of interrupting EBF and, consequently, introducing other milk types⁴¹41. Rigotti RR, Oliveira MICd, Boccolini CS. Association between the use of a baby's bottle and pacifier and the absence of breastfeeding in the second six months of life. Cien Saude Colet 2015; 20(4):1235-1244.^–4343. Venancio SI, Monteiro CA. Individual and contextual determinants of exclusive breast-feeding in Sao Paulo, Brazil: a multilevel analysis. Public Health Nutr 2006; 9(1):40-46.. Chaves et al.³⁰30. Chaves RG, Lamounier JA, César CC. Fatores associados com a duração do aleitamento materno. Jornal de Pediatria 2007; 83(3):241-246. believe that another factor associated with an increased risk of interruption of EBF in underweight children is the belief of some health professionals that these babies would benefit from the faster weight gain, stimulating consumption of cow milk, flour and sugar.

Limitations of this study were the losses during follow-up, reducing the number of children analyzed. However, in order to verify the impact of these losses and possible selection bias, a comparison was made between characteristics of the monitored and non-monitored children. This analysis showed that there were no significant differences in the characteristics of children not monitored and those who were included in the sample of this study.

It is important to highlight the relevance of this study, especially with regard to the factors associated with the intake of cow milk and milk formulas, still not well documented in the studied age range. In addition, this is a cohort study, in which it is possible to verify the trend of milk types consumed by the children and breast milk replacement.

As of the first month, the percentage of introduction of other milk types has already been high in the sample, revealing that there is still much to do to ensure exclusive breastfeeding up to six months. The main factors associated with the types of milk consumed by children were the use of pacifiers and mother's employment status.

The results of this study allow the identification of children at risk for the introduction of other types of milk and consequent interruption of breastfeeding. In addition, they generate subsidies for the accomplishment of educational actions that must be implemented from the prenatal stage, in order to guide mothers on the best practices of breastfeeding.

References

Publication Dates

History