Breastfeeding Rates and Programs in Europe : A Survey of 11 National Breastfeeding Committees and Representatives

• INTRODUCTION: Among the world's regions, the WHO European Region has the lowest rates of exclusive breastfeeding at age 6 months with around 25%. Low rates and early cessation of breastfeeding have important adverse health consequences for women, infants and young children. Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding are a public health priority.OBJECTIVES: National breastfeeding data and monitoring systems among selected European countries and the WHO European Region are compared. Mechanisms for the support, protection and promotion of breastfeeding are reviewed and successes and challenges in implementation of national programs are presented.METHODS: National representatives of national breastfeeding committees and initiatives in eleven European countries, including Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, participated in a standardized survey. Results are evaluated and compared in a narrative review.RESULTS: Variation exists in Europe on breastfeeding rates, methodology for data collection and mechanisms for support, protection and promotion of breastfeeding. Directly after birth, between 56 and 98 % of infants in all countries were reported to receive any human milk, and at 6 months 38-71% and 13-39 % of infants to be breastfed or exclusively breastfed, respectively. National plans addressing breastfeeding promotion, protection and support exist in 6 of the 11 countries.CONCLUSIONS: National governments should commit to evidence-based breastfeeding monitoring and promotion activities, including financial and political support, to improve breastfeeding rates in the Europe. Renewed efforts for collaboration between countries in Europe, including a sustainable platform for information exchange, are needed.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Andra medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Other Basic Medicine (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Reproduktionsmedicin och gynekologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Pediatrik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Pediatrics (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Annan hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Other Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

breastfeeding

country comparison

national breastfeeding programs

public health

Woman, Child and Family (WomFam)

Kvinna, barn och familj (WomFam)

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)