Objective: Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of breastfeeding in the north-central region of Spain and to study its prenatal and perinatal factors.
Patients and methods: From October 1992 December 1992, 1175 infants were selected from fifteen maternity units in Aragon, País Vasco, Cantabria, La Rioja, Navarra and Soria and follow up during a one year period.
Results: At the time of discharge from the nursery unit, 79.9% of the newborns were exclusively breastfed, 8.5% were breast and bottle-fed and 11.8% were bottle-fed. At six months of life, we found that only 3.9% (43 babies) of the infants continue with breastfeeding. The mean period of breastfeeding in our area is 1.1 months. Of the mothers studied, 58.2% were from cities areas and 50% had basic academic studies, while 36.1% had intermediate studies. Approximately half of the mothers did receive prenatal preparation and 78% of them did no received a free sample of infant formula. Half of the mothers were housewives. Normal delivery occurred in 79.6% and 68.8% were without their husbands. Placement of the baby to the breast occurred late in 79.5% and 97% of the babies received glucose or water in the nursery. Most of the newborns (81.7%) were with the mother 24 hours a day.
Conclusions: Breastfeeding in the north-central region of Spain fits level 1 of the WHO classification. However, the prevalence at 3 and 6 months of life is lower. Protocols in the maternity units of this area are at a distance from those of the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative.