Ingrid Maria Susanne

In Denmark, postpartum breastfeeding support is initiated immediately after giving birth in the hospital setting. Following early discharge, families usually receive a home visit from a health visitor within the first week after birth. Danish health visitors are registered nurses with a minimum of three years of full-time clinical experience and an additional 1.5 years of training [35].

Abstract Breastfeeding has numerous health benefits but social inequality in breastfeeding is documented in many high-income countries. The evidence for improving breastfeeding support through prenatal encounters is conflicting, but points towards a mechanism activated through a positive relationship between the families and their health care providers.

Breast milk is the ideal nutrition for infants. A meta-analysis has demonstrated that breastfeeding protects the infant against infections and malocclusion, increases intelligence and potentially reduces overweight and diabetes later in life [1]. Furthermore, breastfeeding protects the mother against breast cancer and possibly also against ovarian cancer and type 2 diabetes [1].