Breastfeeding in Sweden

Like most industrialized countries Swedish breastfeeding rates declined during the fifties and sixties and reached an all time low by 1972. Due to the efforts of breastfeeding support groups and changing attitudes of the health care sector and the public, rates improved dramatically during the seventies and the eighties.

More recently and largely related to the implementation of the BFHI rates are again on the increase, especially for the four to six month age group.

When the BFHI was introduced, most of the 66 hospitals were designated breastfeeding-friendly. Some maternity ward closures have reduced the number to 56 of which one has not been evaluated.

The Swedish Code of Marketing Breastmilk Substitutes has been in effect as recommendations since 1983. When Sweden joined the European Union in 1995, parts of the Code became regulations subject to penalty if violated. The Swedish Code is currently under revision for a stronger version. Breastfeeding groups are working hard to see the strong draft adopted.