The role of the Swedish Child Health Services in breastfeeding promotion

Sweden has one of the highest breastfeeding incidence and duration rates am ong industrialized countries. Although the Child Health Services offer brea stfeeding support to all mothers, there are geographical differences in bre astfeeding frequency at different ages. The aims of this study were to desc ribe the present activities in the Child Health Services regarding breastfe eding promotion and to find research evidence regarding interventions. Thir ty-three out of 42 healthcare districts replied to a questionnaire. Differe nces were found in the transfer of responsibility for newborn infants from hospital to Child Health Centres, criteria for and timing of home visits an d recommendations regarding introduction of supplementary food and breastfe eding education for parents and professionals. There were also regional dif ferences in breastfeeding statistics and follow-up periods. The following recommendations were made on the basis of the survey and rele vant literature: transfer of responsibility for newborn infants must guaran tee follow-up Of all mother-infant pairs; uniform breastfeeding assessment nd documentation must be established; all mother-infant pairs must be offer ed early home visits. Continued on a regular basis by health visitors; drop -in-consultations must be established; a telephone hotline must be set up; for preventive purposes, growth charts must be used based on breastfed infa nts; evidence-based guidelines for the introduction of other foods must be followed; information must be provided in parent groups; breastfeeding stat istics must use WHO definitions; polyclinics must be available for service to mothers/infants after early discharge and: as resources for Child Health Centres; Child and Maternal Health Centres must collaborate; quality assur ance programs must be established; breastfeeding courses must be offered in the under- and postgraduate training of professionals; compulsory in-servi ce education must be offered; lactation consultant training must be offered at the university level; and lactation consultant positions must be establ ished.