Impact of Swiss federal law on breast-feeding at work – Swiss Infant Feeding Study 2024

Abstract Background Swiss law regulates financial compensation of breast-feeding at the workplace. An infant feeding survey in 2024, mandated by the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, investigated the impact of the law on breastfeeding (BF) at work and BF duration. Methods A random sample of 4040 mothers (children age 3-12 months) were invited to an online survey. It included various infant feeding topics and a 24h-feeding recall. Survival time and regression analysis was applied to estimate BF rates in working / non-working mothers and influencing factors. Results Participation rate was 34% (N = 1269). Infants’ mean age was 7.4 months (sd 3.1). Maternal age 33.8 yrs. (sd 4.1). 605 participants worked (51%), of which 16% were breastfeeding and 53% expressed milk at work. 74% got the full BF break paid, 3% half the time and 10% were not compensated at all. 56% had a suitable room to breastfeed/express milk and 84% could refrigerate the milk. 69% had informed themselves about their rights as breast feeding employee, 27% were informed by their employer, 7% did not know about their rights. 75% working mothers (N = 605) stopped with full BF by the 22nd week, non-working mothers at 26th “Uncomfortable with BF/expressing milk at work” (HR 2.95), “not knowing about a refrigerator at work” (HR 2.14) and “workload” (HR 1.01) were statistically significant factors associated with a shorter BF duration. Most frequent reasons for stopping to breastfeed were “not enough milk” (47%), “not conciliable with work” (29%) and “child did not want to breastfeed” (25%). Conclusions Albeit the laws on financial compensation of BF time at the workplace, going back to work is significantly associated with shorter full BF duration. There remains a considerable group of women not fully informed about their rights. Improving communication of BF employees’ rights and culture of BF at the workplace might further increase BF among working mothers. Key messages • Going back to work remains a significant factor associated with lower full breastfeeding duration. • Swiss mothers’ rights are still not known by all mothers nor implemented by all employers.