Use of pacifiers, baby bottles, and accessories as possible determinants of the type of food received by the baby

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the association between the use of pacifiers, bottles, and accessories for breastfeeding with the type of food received by the infant at three months of life. Methodology: Prospective cohort study with two components: perinatal and follow-up. The sample consisted of mothers and babies born in a public hospital with usual risk in a city in Rio Grande do Sul. The medical records, the pregnant woman’s and baby’s handbooks were analyzed and a questionnaire was applied to the puerperal women. Results: 53 postpartum women and their babies participated in the study. At the maternity ward, 33.3% were already using a pacifier, 2.1% a bottle and 9.6% used breastfeeding accessories. There was a statistically significant difference between the type of feeding and the use of a bottle and pacifier at three months of life of the baby since 92.9% of the babies who were using bottle and pacifier were weaned, as well as 81.3% and 87.5% of the babies who were using pacifier and bottle, respectively, were in predominant or mixed breastfeeding. Conclusions: it was found that there was a statistically significant difference between the type of feeding and the use of a bottle and pacifier at three months, with a higher prevalence of children discontinuing breastfeeding when they used these artifacts. It is suggested a greater multidisciplinary action in the follow-up and guidance to puerperal women to have good results in breastfeeding and the use of artifacts should be discouraged in public policies on nutrition and health.