Breastfeeding and complementary feeding: Practice, knowledge and socioeconomic profile of mothers of children up to 2 years of age at a Health School of Pará

Objective:  This study aims to evaluate socioeconomic profile, practice and knowledge of mothers of children up to 2 years old on breastfeeding and complementary feeding. Methods: interviews applied to 104 mothers who were subjected to research protocol consists of 33 questions on breastfeeding, complementary feeding, sociodemographic and obstetrical data. Results: most mothers were between 20 and 34 years old, was in a stable union, had completed high school, was unemployed, was subjected to caesarean operation, and attended six or more prenatal consultations. Regarding breastfeeding and complementary feeding mothers had good knowledge of the subject and demonstrated practice properly on most issues. Conclusion: results highlight the need for studies on the causes of differences between practice and knowledge about breastfeeding and complementary feeding, analyzing the received prenatal and failures or absence of post-natal care in to clarify and assist the practical questions of mothers