Germany undertakes a strategic initiative to address the country’s relatively low breastfeeding rates through a comprehensive national strategy finalized in July 2021. This endeavor includes a nationwide systematic breastfeeding monitoring program, a critical step to gather valid data and evaluate the effectiveness of measures promoting breastfeeding across Germany. A significant part of this national strategy involves collecting data on infant nutrition at the time of their discharge from hospitals, given that most births occur in hospital settings. Such data is pivotal for understanding the landscape of breastfeeding in the country and guiding future interventions within the health sector.
Approval for Secondary Data Use
On October 1, 2025, the Subcommittee on Quality Assurance of the Joint Federal Committee approved Dr. Anna-Kristin Brettschneider’s application for secondary data usage. Affiliated with the Max Rubner Institute for Child Nutrition, Dr. Brettschneider aims to use this data to study infant feeding practices upon hospital discharge or transfer in the years 2022 and 2023. This project will provide valuable insights into the breastfeeding habits of German mothers, contributing to the broader goals of the national strategy.
Key Project Insights
The data gathered addresses the proportion of infants exclusively breastfed, partially breastfed, or formula-fed upon hospital release or transfer. Data from 2021 showed that approximately 75.4% of infants were exclusively breastfed, 18% were partially breastfed, and 6.6% were exclusively formula-fed. The study will further identify factors influencing breastfeeding initiation to bolster the national strategy’s objectives.
Dr. Brettschneider’s research will offer detailed, descriptive analyses, which will include all available cases with data on infant nutrition at discharge or transfer. This analysis aims at identifying specific elements affecting breastfeeding rates.
Key inferences from the project so far suggest that:
- Hospital practices and policies significantly impact breastfeeding initiation and continuation.
- Socioeconomic factors may play a role in a mother’s ability to begin and maintain breastfeeding.
- Cultural attitudes and the availability of postnatal support services influence feeding choices.
To catalyze a shift in breastfeeding culture and improve the rates across Germany, it is crucial for health institutions to be more proactive in supporting breastfeeding initiatives. This involves increasing resources and training to promote breastfeeding as the nutritional norm for infants. Moreover, understanding the barriers and drivers of breastfeeding through rigorous data analysis can tailor more effective, evidence-based policies to better support mothers nationwide. Germany’s commitment to a robust monitoring system illustrates a vital step in nurturing a healthier future for its youngest citizens.
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