| Summary: | The introduction of a timely and appropriate complementary feeding is challenging for health professionals in the context of primary care. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding until the sixth month of life and breastfeeding inserted in complementary foods up to two years or more. The nutritionist, as a member of the Family Health Supporting Center (NASF), plays a key role in the nutritional aspects of 0-2-year-old children and should know the family eating behavior to identify habits and work with the family. This study has aimed to discuss the influence of family behavior on the introduction of complementary foods for children and their consequences on child development by means of the report of two cases of experiences of children under two years of age treated by NASF’s nutritionists. In the first case, it was difficult to introduce complementary feeding due to eating habits built over time by the family, leading to low birth weight in children. The second case showed early weaning and the early introduction in large quantities of cow’s milk, due to concepts assigned by the mother about children’s healthy eating patterns, which caused constipation in children. Although the implications for health are widely known, changing eating habits is a challenging task. We conclude that the management of infant feeding is strongly influenced by family and environmental contexts, and considering these factors it is relevant in the nutritional approach to mothers.
DOI: 10.12957/demetra.2016.16053
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