Breastfeeding Promotion and the Results of the Maternity Ward - a Friend of Children Initiative Implementation in Bjelovar-Bilogora County in 2018

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding has a beneficial effect on the overall health system of the child and the mother. After six months of age, it is recommended to introduce complementary feeding in parallel and to continue breastfeeding for at least one year of the child’s life. Maternal education is one of the key tasks of medical staff during pregnancy and especially during lactation. Objective: The main objectives of the study is to determine the essential features of female respondents with regard to previous pregnancies, births and health visitors visits after birth; to determine the percentage of women whose lactation was started in hospital and who exclusively breastfed; to determine the differences in child’s diet during a health visitor visit at two, four, six, nine and twelve months in regards to female respondents’ age. Methods: The study has been conducted as a cross-sectional study. 571 women who gave birth in General Hospital of Bjelovar took part in the survey and the reviewing was continued by Health Visiting Service of Bjelovar-Bilogora County in 2018. The tools for data collection were IT system of General Hospital of Bjelovar, case histories as well as Health Visiting Service IT system. Results: Most of the female respondents are of the average age of 30 years. The study was conducted on a highly educated sample. 461 respondents have a certain form of education. Older respondents are considerably more educated (62 %). Single respondents and extramarital respondents are considerably of younger age. Older respondents predominantly live in the town, have more previous pregnancies and children compared to younger respondents. Lactation was started with 98.8 % respondents in hospital, and 96.7 % exclusively breastfed. The mothers of older ages breastfeed longer. Conclusion: Older, educated, employed, married, town residential female respondents decide upon breastfeeding and exclusively breastfeeding. Older respondents have more experience with previous pregnancies and lactation. The study has confirmed that older mothers breastfeed longer, while younger mothers more often reach for milk alternatives.

Dietary Patterns and Feeding Behavior of Infants in Croatia: Findings from the National Food Consumption Survey on Infants and Children

“…The results of national surveys can identify the feeding habits of infants and the factors that influence their feeding habits in their socio-cultural and geographical context [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. According to the available literature, there are a few small-sample, micro-level studies in Croatia that do not provide conclusive insight into infant feeding habits, breastfeeding behavior and complementary feeding [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. To the authors’ knowledge, there are also no national data on factors influencing infant feeding habits and weight in Croatia.…”

Dietary Patterns and Feeding Behavior of Infants in Croatia: Findings from the National Food Consumption Survey on Infants and Children

“…The results of national surveys can identify the feeding habits of infants and the factors that influence their feeding habits in their socio-cultural and geographical context [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. According to the available literature, there are a few small-sample, micro-level studies in Croatia that do not provide conclusive insight into infant feeding habits, breastfeeding behavior and complementary feeding [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. To the authors’ knowledge, there are also no national data on factors influencing infant feeding habits and weight in Croatia.…”

Dietary Patterns and Feeding Behavior of Infants in Croatia: Findings from the National Food Consumption Survey on Infants and Children

“…The results of national surveys can identify the feeding habits of infants and the factors that influence their feeding habits in their socio-cultural and geographical context [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. According to the available literature, there are a few small-sample, micro-level studies in Croatia that do not provide conclusive insight into infant feeding habits, breastfeeding behavior and complementary feeding [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. To the authors’ knowledge, there are also no national data on factors influencing infant feeding habits and weight in Croatia.…”

Dietary Patterns and Feeding Behavior of Infants in Croatia: Findings from the National Food Consumption Survey on Infants and Children

“…The results of national surveys can identify the feeding habits of infants and the factors that influence their feeding habits in their socio-cultural and geographical context [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. According to the available literature, there are a few small-sample, micro-level studies in Croatia that do not provide conclusive insight into infant feeding habits, breastfeeding behavior and complementary feeding [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. To the authors’ knowledge, there are also no national data on factors influencing infant feeding habits and weight in Croatia.…”