Background:

The quantitative evaluation of actions to promote breastfeeding, with standardized material and method, is essential to understand their impact and allow international comparison. The aim was to know the prevalence of breastfeeding in Galician Health Area.

Methods:

A cross-sectional descriptive study through interviews, following methodology and questionnaire designed by the Baby-Friendly Initiative. The infant´s mother/caregiver were asked about feeding to calculate the five indicators proposed (exclusive breastfeeding under 15 days, exclusive breastfeeding under six months, continued breastfeeding at one year and two years, introduction of solid, semi-solid or soft foods). A random sample of 431 infants aged between 0 and 2 years of the participating centers, between 2013 and 2014, has been selected. Descriptive and bivariate analyses have been performed.

Results:

In the sample, 50.00% (95% CI 39.3 to 60.7) of infants fewer than 15 days were exclusively receiving breastfeeding. At 6 months, the prevalence was 50.28% (95% CI 43.0 to 57.6). Breastfeeding at 12 to 15 months was 34.62% (95% CI 22.0 to 49.1). At two years, it was 26.67% (95% CI 17.1 to 38.1), with significant differences between rural and urban areas. Between 6 and 8 months, all infants have breastfeeding combined with other foods.

Conclusions:

In our environment the starting rate and average duration are lower than desirable.

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