Breast feeding trends and recent information activities in Sweden

Abstract

The breast feeding rate has been declining steadily in Sweden since the 1930's up to the early 1970's. It is suggested that this was linked to the changing role of women, the development towards the nuclear family, the changing way of living, the influence of strict routines at the maternities and many other factors. A Committee was appointed in 1973 by the National Board of Health and Welfare, which initiated a number of breast feeding promoting activities: the editing of a Manual for health personnel, and booklets for mothers, the systematic arranging of workshops for key personnel in each county, stimulation to more flexible and breast feeding favouring maternity routines, backing of working groups of La Leche League-type, etc. Coinciding with these activities and probably a result of changed breast feeding attitudes among mothers, the breast feeding rate has increased considerably--at 2 months from an all time low of 31% in 1972 to 62% in 1976/77, and at 6 months from 6% to 20%.