[Feeding habits of a sample of children under 20 months of age in Madrid].

OBJECTIVE

To know the feeding habits of children of different socioeconomic groups during the first year and a half of life in Madrid.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The mothers of 344 children between 3 and 19 months who attended two vaccination centers of the Regional Health Authorities of Madrid were interviewed in detail using the dietary history method supplemented with questions on milk feeding and weaning. The sample was stratified into three socioeconomic groups, low middle and high, each group comprising about a third of the sample.

RESULTS

In general, children were fed according to actual pediatric recommendations. Deviations were that breast-feeding was stopped too early, complementary feeding was introduced somewhat early and mothers were often found not to understand gluten nor did they know which products contain it. The children in this study were remarkably similarly fed regardless of socioeconomic group.

CONCLUSIONS

The pediatrician should know where mothers may deviate from the recommendations to prevent feeding errors because o misunderstanding or ignorance.