The survival of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants has been increasing, but they still
have difficulty in their nutritional recovery and the establishment of breastfeeding, and
are also exposed to the risk of compromising their nutritional condition, which may be
extended to the post-neonatal period. Aimed at the interest in studying the feeding and
nutrition process of those children, this research seeks to investigate the dietary profile
of VLBW infants, by checking the type of breastfeeding established at the moment of
hospital release as well as the possible factors associated with the establishment of
each type of breastfeeding. A quantitative, observational, cross-sectional study has
been carried out with 41 babies weighing between 1000g and 1499g, who had acquired
clinical stability until the 30th day of postnatal life. The data were collected based on
instruments designed to characterize the infants within the sample, gather data on their
nourishment evolution, and observe maternal breastfeeding. When analyzing the
results, it has been found out, with statistical validation, that: the use of cup-feeding in
the nourishment process works against exclusive breastfeeding (EBF); every children
who have used translactation were under EBF at the moment of hospital release; there
was a significant association between producing enough breast milk for the demand
and the establishment of the EBF; and it has been confirmed that being assisted by the
Kangaroo Mother Method favors the establishment of the EBF within that population.
We conclude that, given the importance of the EBF for that population, the findings lead
to the insertion of individualized care in neonatal units, with priority on the practices that
facilitate the establishment of the EBF.
Descriptors: 1. Very low birth weight infant. 2. Nourishment. 3. Breastfeeding.
