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ABSTRACT ObjectiveComplementary feeding (CF) occurs during a critical period of infant growth and development with life‐long health implications. Despite international efforts, there remains significant variation in the adequacy of complementary diets across settings. In Brazil, there is marked variation in adherence to CF guidelines and infant growth outcomes, with the north (Amazon) lagging other regions of the country. This study aimed to characterize the complementary diet and develop a model to explain feeding decisions in the Amazonian city of Belém. MethodsWith a sample ofn = 30 mothers, we combined 24‐h dietary recalls, a pile‐sorting activity, and in‐depth interviews to address study aims. Using descriptive statistics, we analyzed the pile‐sort data to characterize the evolving complementary diet. Then, using thematic analysis of interview transcripts, we identified the most salient factors shaping mothers' feeding decisions. ResultsWhile there was variation in opinion regarding the timing of introduction of liquids other than breastmilk and ultra‐processed convenience foods, we found high consensus regarding the ideal complementary diet which, beginning at 6 months, met WHO dietary diversity guidelines and evolved with infant age. Three themes—integrating and applying trusted sources of advice, infant readiness and future health, and challenges to feeding ideals—illustrate how socioeconomic, cultural, and infant bio‐behavioral cues interact to shape CF. ConclusionEfforts to improve infant feeding must move beyond identifying individual factors and toward biocultural models that consider how political–economic and local contexts interact to influence the ethnomedical systems, household sociocultural dynamics, including income, gender, and age‐based responsibilities, and power relations that shape feeding behaviors. 

ABSTRACT Research on household water insecurity continues to overemphasize water scarcity and rural contexts, resulting in a poorer understanding of water insecurity in urban, water-abundant settings. At the same time, while the dimensions of water insecurity include availability, access, utilization and stability, current instruments focus on access to water, thus, inadequately explore people's experiences utilizing available water. This study aimed to characterize and explore the impacts of household water insecurity on residents of the city of Belém, Pará, Brazil, where water is available and access to piped municipal water is common, but its provision and quality vary. We applied the Household Water Insecurity Experiences Scale (HWISE) to evaluate water insecurity in 188 households (110 LSES; 78 HSES). In a subset of 47 households, we complemented the HWISE with a novel instrument, developed via participant observation, that assessed all points of water access and use within the home. Per HWISE, 28% of households were water insecure, with a higher proportion of water insecurity occurring in LSES households. Data collected via our complementary instrument indicate that HWISE underestimated water insecurity in our sample, as 87% of the subset households reported issues affecting their utilization of water regardless of household water insecurity status.