Swiss infant feeding study (SWIFS)

Study commisioned by : The Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office

Implemented by : ZHAW and Swiss TPH

Published : 2026

Nutrition is a crucial factor during the first years of life for healthy development and long-term health. Breastfeeding offers numerous benefits for the health of both mother and child, including a reduced risk of respiratory diseases, diabetes, and obesity. Despite these well-known advantages, previous studies show that adherence to dietary recommendations varies. The introduction of complementary feeding is also an important aspect, as it influences the development of eating habits and can promote the child’s health in the long term. The recommended timing for introducing complementary foods aligns with the increased energy and nutrient needs of a growing child. Given the importance of infant nutrition, breastfeeding and dietary behaviors are studied every 10 years. The current study is part of this monitoring.

Visit the study’s webpage here (in English). The full report (in English) is available here, and a summary in French is available here.