Abstract

PIP: Discusses some of the factors which led to a decline in breastfeeding in northern Europe at the turn of the century, followed by an increase during the 2nd World War, and then a rapid decline thereafter until 1970, when the downward trend was reversed. The decline was linked to hospital practices, and the attitudes of health professionals, the latter's lack of knowledge in the management of breastfeeding leaving a gap which was filled by the infant formula companies. In the past 10 years, the advantages of breastfeeding have been widely disseminated both by mother's groups and health authorities, with positive results. In evoking factors of choice and the place of breastfeeding in national nutritional policies, the author emphasizes the importance of mothers' participation in the evolution of coherent policies and the establishment of support systems.