The objective of this study was to evaluate the practice of exclusive breastfeeding, use of bottle, sugar and cocoa in the bottle; and the use of sugary teas.
Under a descriptive cross study design, were assessed a total of 142 children between 0 to 71 months old from Human Settlements in Carabayllo district, through a structured survey applied to mothers. The 96.3% of children received breastfeeding. The average age until which received exclusive breastfeeding was 6.41 months (SD 3.2). The 90.8% never used nipple, with the average age until which used him 11.67 months (SD 7.3), with a range of 6-26 months. The 61.9% ever used bottle, and the average age until which used him 20.4 months (SD 10.4), with a maximum of 48 months. The 59.0% of those who use bottle add sugar and 38.3% adds cocoa or chocolate. The 47.4% of children who use bottle it takes to sleep, and 50% contain sugar. In addition, 10.5% of children have used sugary water (infusions), with the average age of onset of 8 months (SD 5.4).
The 11.1%, who sleep with a bottle, received hygienization, but only in the mornings; 38.9% is done only occasionally and finally, 50% had never received dental hygienization.
Exclusive breastfeeding prevails as the primary source of power during the early months of life, accompanied by a mixed breastfed (maternal and artificial) from 6 months. The sugar is present in a large number of children who use the bottle at night, a major risk factor to be considered in order to prevent the installation of dental caries.