Stillförderung Schweiz
Promotion allaitement maternel Suisse
Promozione allattamento al seno Svizzera

Breastfeeding Promotion Switzerland

Breastfeeding Promotion Switzerland is an independent, national centre of competence for all groups of professionals and organisations who work in the area of pregnancy, child birth and with small children, and also an information platform for parents.

It was established in 2000 as a non-profit organisation. The goal is to coordinate and improve the availability of independent information related to the benefits of breastfeeding to the public. Support comes from public health organisations and institutions.

_{Corona-Virus COVID-19 and Breastfeeding}

General information Federal Office of Public Health FOPH

_{Information material}

Breastfeeding Promotion Switzerland provides parents (to be) with various breastfeeding-related information material in different languages.

The booklet "Breastfeeding - a healthy start to life" answers the most important questions about breastfeeding.

breastfeeding preparation in pregnancy
breastfeeding in the first hours and days after birth
recommendations for breastfeeding frequency and duration of breastfeeding
breastfeeding positions
breastfeeding and back to work
difficulties
contact addresses for expert advice

Available in the following languages:

To the shop

Especially for fathers

Fathers have a demanding job. They are typically busy working fulltime outside the home, which on average contributes about three quarters of the family’s income. However, they are expected by their partners to be present and competent fathers. This is a major challenge and quite often it can be overwhelming new fathers. Don’t stress and blame yourself when you reach your limits. You are not the only one feeling this way.

When tensions and conflicting expectations arise, the goal is to shape your role as a father in a way, which is the best for you. It is important to build an independent relationship with the baby, while developing your own, personal way of being a father. One desired side effect is that the more you trust in your relationship and your skills as a father, the less bothered you will feel about critical looks from others. You will be less likely to allow outsiders to unsettle your close relationship with your partner or your child.

Breastmilk provides the best nutrition to ensure your baby’s health and a strong start in life. Studies have shown that a baby’s father has tremendous impact on whether, and for how long their partner nurses their child. It is important to use that influence wisely.

"If you want the best for your baby, be sure to offer it." Read here >>

Order at the shop

"Breast is best"
An award winning training film on breastfeeding, breast milk, and the first contact with the newborn. (duration 45 min.)

Correct latching-on, breastfeeding positions, skin-to-skin contact after birth, breastfeeding after cesarean, health benefits for mother and child, sore nipples, jammed milk ducts, mastitis, sleepy babies, increasing milk production, breastfeeding at night, breastfeeding of preterm infants, pumping and expressing by hand, breastfeeding twins and infants and the function and role of specialists are some of the many topics of the film.

Breast is best was written and directed by Dr. med. Gro Nylander, gynecologist and obstetrician and national coordinator of the BFHI initiative in Norway.

The DVD is available in Englisch, German, French and Italien.

Or on DVD at the shop

The short version of the film "Breast is best"
Key sequences from the award-winning instructional film on breastfeeding "Breast is best" were selected by the scientific advisory council of Breast Feeding Promotion Switzerland.
Content: Information on benefits of breastfeeding for mother and child, bonding, correct positioning, breastfeeding positions and duration of breastfeeding.

Accessible for free in the following languages:

Flyers with the information on the link to the film can be ordered. To the shop

Breastfeeding the premature infant – film for informing the parents

A baby born premature is always a special situation. Breast milk and a lot of skin-to-skin-contact with the parents are very important in the beginning. With the right support to the mother, a premature baby can learn to breastfeed. It pays to keep trying. Breast milk is tailored to the needs of the baby. It is the best-tolerated food and supplies abundant immune substances.

The film is accessible for free:

The film can also be ordered on DVD with the languages Englisch, German, French and Italien.

To the shop

_{Back to work}

Continue to breastfeed when resuming work? The following checklists supply you and your employer with information:

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) on legal issues can be found in German, French and Italien.

_{FAQs on Breastfeeding}

can be found in German, French and Italien.

_{Breastfeeding on the go}

Finding breastfeeding friendly public places is very easy with the app mamamap.

Download for free at the App Store, Google Play or mamamap.ch.

_{World Breastfeeding Week}

Together with different professional associations, the Breastfeeding Promotion Switzerland is involved in the organization and promotion of the International World Breastfeeding Week in Switzerland. For more information click for information in German, French, Italien.

WABA

_{Codex Panel}

Breastfeeding Promotion Switzerland is part of the Codex Panel. The Codex Panel is a joint assembly of representatives from manufacturers of infant formula and Breastfeeding Promotion Switzerland. This panel is responsible for monitoring manufacturers’ compliance with the Swiss codex regarding the marketing of infant formula.

_{Expressing Colostrum – during pregnancy and after the Birth}

Already in the middle of pregnancy (from about the 16th week of pregnancy), the first mother’s milk (colostrum) is synthesized in the mother’s breast. In many cases, particularly in women with gestational diabetes as well as diabetes mellitus types I and II, it can be advisable to express small amounts of this valuable substance towards the end of the pregnancy (from the 37th week) in order to store it as a contingency reserve for the initial period after the birth. For other women, it is interesting to become familiar with breast massage and hand expression during the pregnancy, so that they can quickly make available the valu-able colostrum if necessary after the birth.

In any case, personal instruction by a trained professional is needed for expressing colostrum. This handout should serve only as reminder for you.

PDF Handout Englisch: Expressing colostrum - during pregnancy and after the birth

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