Background

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months (WHO, online). However, a study by Gross et al. (2014) showed that women in Switzerland only breastfeed exclusively for twelve weeks. This average duration of breastfeeding is well below the international recommendations. In 2020, the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi) rated the promotion of breastfeeding in Switzerland as in need of development, as policy measures and programmes only scored 48 out of a possible 100 points (WBTi, 2020). These results highlight the urgent need for action to improve the breastfeeding environment and practices. A comprehensive systematic analysis of the breast-feeding environment in Switzerland is required to develop and implement targeted measures for the sustainable promotion of breastfeeding.

Aims

The aims of the Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly (BBF) Switzerland project are to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the breastfeeding-friendly environment in Switzerland and to develop recommendations and processes for the expansion of breastfeeding strategies and programmes. In the long term, concrete measures are to be derived to sustainably increase the breastfeeding rate in Switzerland.

Method and procedure

Under the scientific management of the ZHAW, as well as administrative and financial support from the Family Larsson Rosenquist Foundation, this project is being implemented in Switzerland for the first time. The BBF initiative was developed by Yale University with the aim of enabling a global scaling-up of breast-feeding support. The assessment is based on eight gears:

• Advocacy
• Political Will
• Legislation & Policies
• Funding & Resources
• Training & Program Delivery
• Promotion
• Research & Evaluation
• Coordination, Goals & Monitoring

Benchmarks in these categories are evaluated by experts in a total of three meetings. In two further sessions, targeted measures to promote breast-feeding in Switzerland will be developed. A literature and document analysis as well as semi-structured qualitative interviews will be conducted to collect data.

Benefits

This study analyses the breastfeeding environment in Switzerland. Based on the recommendations of the expert panel, targeted measures can be implemented to promote breastfeeding. In the long term, this could contribute to an increase in the average duration of breastfeeding for women in Switzerland.