Stillförderung Schweiz

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 governement, cantons, public health organisations and institutions.

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Contents

• Infant feeding in situations of acute crisis
  
• Corona-Virus COVID-19
  
• Information material on breastfeeding
  

  • Leaflet breastfeeding guide

  • Poster breastfeeding guide

  • Breastfeeding brochure - a healthy start to life
    

  • Leaflet especially for fathers

  • Educational film "Breast is best"

  • The short version of the film "Breast is best"

  • Film on "Breastfeeding the premature infant"

  • Global Health Videos on breastfeeding

  • Expressing Colostrum – during pregnancy and after the Birth

  • Storing breast milk
  • Pacifiers - a guide
  • Sun protection for breastfeeding mothers – a guide
    
• Back to work while breastfeeding
  
• Breastfeeding on the go
  
• World Breastfeeding Week
• Codex Panel
  

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_{Infant feeding in situations of acute crisis}

Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable in situations of crisis and at risk of malnutrition. This can lead to very rapid donation and distribution of infant formula, bottles and teats.

In acute emergency situations, breast milk is the best and safest source of nutrition for the infant. Supplemental feeding of formula reduces the supply of breast milk. In case the formula cannot be distributed regularly and hygienic conditions are inadequate, infants are exposed to additional risks.

Stress can affect the milk-giving reflex, but frequent feeding can stimulate it.

It is important to provide enough food and fluids for nursing mothers as well.

For the above reasons, it is important to note that formula donations should

• be given on demand.
• not be given with the general food distribution.
• be distributed with explanations, information and education to the staff of aid organizations, if possible.
• be distributed together with clean water.

 

In times of crisis, mothers with infants need special protection and support so they can breastfeed their children.

PDF - Infant feeding in situations of acute crisis

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^{Corona-Virus COVID-19}

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

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^{Global Health Videos}

Films on various breastfeeding topics are available from Global Health in the following languages:

• English
• German
  
• French
• Italien
• Arabic
  
• Spanish
  
• Tamil
• Turkish
• other languages

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^{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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^{Storing breast milk}

^{PDF Storing breast milk}

Cleanliness is important:

• Wash your hands.
• Use a clean jar or cup with a lid.
• Or use a breast milk bag.
• After pumping, wash all parts of the pump with hot water and detergent.
• Or in the dishwasher.

This is how long you can store expressed breast milk:

• at room temperature (16–29 °C): 3–4 hours 
  
• in the refrigerator (colder than 4 °C): 3 days
  
• in the freezer (colder than minus 17 °C): 6 months
  

Here‘s how to thaw breast milk:

• Put the frozen milk in the refrigerator for a few hours.
  
• Warm the milk in a warm water bath. Shake up the milk. This distributes the fat.
  
• Do not warm breast milk in the microwave.
  

You can store thawed breast milk for this long:

• Do not refreeze thawed breast milk.
  
• Use thawed breast milk within 24 hours. Store it in the refrigerator.
  
• Your baby didn‘t drink all the breast milk? Throw away the rest.

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^{Pacifiers - a guide}

^{PDF Pacifiers - a guide}

• In the first few days, your baby will learn to suck on your breast. Therefore, do not give them a pacifier.
  
  
• If you want to give a pacifier, wait until breastfeeding is going well.
  
  
• Try to soothe your baby in other ways:
  
  • Talk and sing to your baby.
  •  Carry your baby.
  •  Place your baby on your bare torso.
  •  Pet, massage, or bathe your baby.
    
    

• Sometimes your baby will want to suck on yourbreast when they are not hungry. This is normal.
  
  

• If you give your baby a pacifier, follow this rule: As little as possible, as much as necessary.
  
  

• Do not force the pacifier on your baby. If the pacifier falls out, do not put it back in the mouth.
  
  

• After the 1st birthday, give the pacifier to your child only rarely.
  This will help your child learn to talk better.

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_{Back to work}

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

• Back to work - guide for the nursing mother
• Checklist for breastfeeding room in workplaces                   
  
• Breastfeeding at work - facts for the employer
• Rights as a breastfeeding mother

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_{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, Italian.

WABA

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_{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  the stakeholder group for protection of breastfeeding. This panel is responsible for monitoring manufacturers’ compliance with the Swiss codex regarding the marketing of infant formula.

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