OBJECTIVE: To know the opinion of lactating mothers about the consumption of food in their diet during the breastfeeding period and to identify possible alimentary restrictions. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled mothers of children registered at Health Care Programs of Primary Health Care Centers, with ages varying from birth to six months. A questionnaire was applied in order to identify the foods considered by the mothers as improper during the breastfeeding period, and the reasons stated by them to justify such restriction. RESULTS: In a universe of 504 interviewed mothers, 296 (59%) stated that some foods should not be consumed during the breastfeeding period. The reasons mentioned to avoid them were: they harm the child (78%), undefined (16%) and they harm the mother (5%). The main deleterious foods mentioned were: soft drinks (17%), pepper (17%), pork fat (11%) and alcoholic drinks (10%). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the interviewed mothers considered that there are some foods that are improper during the breastfeeding period. However, this opinion does not have scientific support. Restrictive practices can interfere in maternal nutrition and, as a consequence, interfere in breastfeeding practice.
breast feeding; milk; human; lactation; maternal nutrition
