INTRODUCTION:
In Switzerland, breastfeeding practices and eating habits of infants and influencing factors are evaluated every ten years to establish a foundation for promoting healthy nutrition in children.

METHODS:
A random sample of 4040 mothers (children aged 3-12 months) were invited to an online survey on various infant feeding topics and a 24h-feeding recall. Survival time and regression analysis was applied to estimate breastfeeding indicators as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). We present results on exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and total breastfeeding (TB).

RESULTS:
Participation rate was 34% (N= 1269),infants’ mean age 7.4 months (SD 3.1),maternal age 33.8 yrs. (SD 4.1). The median TB duration was 48 weeks (25% Percentile (P 40 weeks, 75%P 51 weeks), the median EBF duration 17.4 weeks (25%P 4 weeks, 75%P 23.9 weeks. EBF duration had significantly increased between 2014 and 2024 (Log rank test: Chi2=51.4, p<0.001). While mothers with the highest income had a lower probability of early weaning than those with lowest income for breast feeding (Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.55; Confidence Interval (CI) 0.35-0.87) and for EBF (HR 0.74, CI 0.58-0.95), weighted analyses for sociodemographic characteristics of the mother (smoking, highest education, single mother household and nationality) showed no difference for the durations of TB, EBF and FB. Compared to previous surveys, BMI over 30 (Hazard Ratio: 1.80, Confidence Interval 1.17-2.78)) was associated with lower TB. 11% were obese and 25.5% overweight in pre-pregnancy. Overweight and obese women gained average 3kg more weight in pregnancy than recommended.

CONCLUSIONS:
Compared to earlier monitoring years, breastfeeding patterns have shifted toward longer duration of breastfeeding overall and extended periods of exclusive breastfeeding. Of public health concern are the unchanged influence of income on breastfeeding, and the results on obesity, especially given the high rate of overweight or obese mothers.