FEEDING IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD IN BRAZIL

Abstract

Feeding from the birth up to the first two years brings repercussions throughout a person’s lifetime. In this sense, this paper aimed at doing an up-to-dated review about infant feeding concerning: the right to health and nutrition; the importance of nutrition and feeding while growing and developing; breastfeeding; complementary feeding and feeding in the when two years old. The purpose was to contribute and guide the planning, the monitoring and the evaluation of governmental programs to promote health at this age range. It is believed that reaching the appropriate feeding of children younger than two years old must be an essential element of the global strategy to ensure a population’s nourishment. Although it’s the health professionals’ job to promote this action and the mothers’ to carry it out, the final success of it also depends, mainly, on defining the appropriate public policy, as well as on the society’s participation.