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International organizations recommend mothers practice exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) during the first six months of their infant's life and introduce complementary feeding (CF) thereafter while continuing breastfeeding. However, the earlier introduction of liquids and foods is common worldwide and may have negative effects on breastfeeding practice, nutrition, and health. In this formative cross-sectional study, we interviewed 143 mothers from semi-rural communities in Tabasco, Mexico, whose infants were 4-6 months old. We explored (1) which feeding practices substituted EBF and (2) which factors were associated with each practice. During the first month of life, 42.7% of infants received formula milk (FM); this proportion increased to 74.5% by the sixth month. Adjusted Poisson regression analyses showed that giving FM was positively related to working away from home (PR 1.27; 95% CI 1.06, 1.54) and the perception that FM is an important food to accompany breast milk (PR 1.38; 95% CI 1.19, 1.70). Giving FM was negatively associated with not being sure the infant is full after breastfeeding (PR 0.75; 95% CI 0.61, 0.92). Regarding CF, less than half (47.5%) of infants had not received it by the fifth month. Factors positively associated with timely CF introduction were: the mother was told during prenatal care visits the optimal age to start CF is 6 months (PR 1.17, 95% CI 1.06, 1.29); she is convinced that giving only breast milk is best for her baby (PR 1.15, 95% CI 1.03, 1.29), and a higher infant weight-for-length (PR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00, 1.08) and length for age (PR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00, 1.09) z-scores at the study visit; conversely, it was negatively associated to the idea that if the infant is not full, she/he should receive formula milk or some other food (PR 0.87, 95% CI 0.78, 0.96). In these communities, EBF is lost to the use of FM and early CF. The factors associated with these inadequate feeding practices are related to returning to work, information received during prenatal visits, and the mother's beliefs and thoughts. This work will guide the design of an intervention on infant feeding practices for these communities and other similar ones.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding the demand for nutrients that promote the growth and development of the fetus, maternal tissues and breastmilk production is increased. Milk and dairy products provide energy, proteins, fatty acids, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins D and B12, therefore their importance during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The energy through food supply allows the development and growth from the conception; protein promotes the rapid growth of the maternal and fetal tissues: fatty acids stimulate the development of the fetus central nervous system; carbohydrates are essential to support fetal brain growth; calcium is essential for the formation and mineralization of the fetus skeleton, while vitamin D promotes calcium absorption and the development of the nervous and immune systems. Multiple studies refer a positive association between the consumption of dairy products and birth weight. Regarding height, some papers show an increase in the femur length and in the total height (head-ankle) with regard to the intake of dairy products. Few studies report an association between a specific dairy product and the presence of allergic diseases. Therefore, more research is mandatory.

By the end of their first year of life, infants are ready to sit at the dinner table, to eat the same food as their family and to accept a variety of foods in sufficient quantity to maintain adequate nutritional status. In this context, breastfeeding contributes through different mechanisms such as: self-regulation in milk consumption and exposure to different flavors to assure a good nutrition and to create adequate feeding habits. However, breastfeeding is one of several options available to feed a newborn and a behavior that women need to learn. Today, the responsibility to counsel and guide women and their families in breastfeeding falls upon health professionals, specifically the general practitioner. This paper discusses the characteristics and functioning of the mammary gland as well as anatomical and physiological bases of suction exerted by the baby on the breast, so the health professional can recognize the factors that promote successful breastfeeding and to solve the problems or difficulties that could arise. Also are discussed here the main elements of a practice and proper technique, which are essential to provide breastfeeding counseling.

In a cross-sectional study, 163 breastfeeding women completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), a questionnaire on demographics and infant feeding and hand-expressed breast milk for Na and K quantification, between 2 and 12 weeks postpartum. Forty women (24.5%) had an EPDS score compatible with the risk of a depressive episode, and 63 (41%) did not feel confident about breastfeeding. These 2 variables were significantly correlated to each other and individually correlated to breastfeeding exclusiveness. Weeks postpartum was correlated to breastfeeding exclusiveness and Na:K in milk (all P < .001). A logistic regression model showed that supplementation increased the risk of high Na:K in milk by 209%, whereas a longer time postpartum lowered the risk for mammary gland permeability. This study suggests that postpartum depression and low breastfeeding confidence, which may be present concomitantly, are associated with increased mammary gland permeability, only to the extent in which depression dissuades the mother from exclusive breastfeeding.