Results of breastfeeding promotion in the county of Međimurje

Breastfeeding provides optimal health for mothers and children and for this reason it is a priority in preventive medicine for all medical workers who care for the health of mothers and children, but also of the whole community. The low breastfeeding rate in the county of Međimurje in 1990 and before (on leaving hospital only 75% of mothers were breastfeeding their children), was the motive for a range of activities that lead to the following results. In 1998, 96% of mothers were breastfeeding their children in the first month of life, and 23% up to the ninth month of life. We have to presevere in all that has been achieved so that future generations will also enjoy the ideal form of feeding and mothers will have a feeling of worth. (“Innoccenti Declaration on the Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding”, 1990.).