[Incidence of breast feeding in the Bjelovar region].

Without any doubt breastfeeding is the best diet for babies. Nevertheless, in Croatia little less than 40% of infants after the age of three months are breastfed. In order to asses the state, in Bjelovar region, data concerning the diet during infant period were collected for 4242 babies born in Bjelovar between January, 1991 and December, 1995. During the first month of infants life 37% of mothers weaned their children. 43.5% of mothers are nursing for three months, 13.6% longer then 6 months, and only 1.4% of mothers nurse for year. An average length of breast-feeding was 118.4 days. After weaning in a newborn period the majority of mothers decided to use industrial milk supplements. The activity of the whole community and not just medical staff is necessary to change the existing state. It is necessary to begin with breastfeeding promotion in elementary school. Media should pay more attention to breastfeeding. It is necessary to organize maternity hospitals by the "Baby-friendly hospital" principle. Already during the pregnancy period it is necessary to discuss with both parents all the aspects of breastfeeding. A systematic work of pediatricans, family doctors and visiting nurses is required to increase the number of mothers who are breastfeeding at least first 4-6 months.