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Last update Sep 13, 2021

Practical support for mothers and fathers in Geneva (in English, French and Spanish)

The leaflet in french Panorama du réseau de soutien en Région genevoise et France voisine (2019) shows where you can find breastfeeding support in Geneva. The information hereafter is regularly updated. French page see here

COVID-19 and Breastfeeding – a reminder

For Health Care Providers see here

For parents

Currently, data, although limited, do not show a risk of transmission of the active SARS-CoV-2 virus through breastfeeding.

  • Maternal infection with Covid-19 is not a contraindication to breastfeeding
  • Breastfeeding is possible and encouraged because of its benefits for the health of mother and child.
  • These are the recommendations of many international and national experts (WHO, UNICEF, CDC, SSP, FOPH/Swissnoso/PIGS, SGGG).

In English

En español

Auf deutsch

  • SGGG Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe (14 avril 2020 Online Dokument)

Helpful practical information on breastfeeding

La Leche League

LLL organizes free mother-to-mother meetings. Please check the Swiss website www.lalecheleague.ch and chose the language for the meeting you wish to attend.

LLL Suisse romande FB page you find meetings in English and Spanish https://www.facebook.com/LLLSuisseRomande/

Groupe Nuage de Lait (in Gex, neighbouring France)

Discussion groups and mother-to-mother support on the theme of breastfeeding in the Pays de Gex, children and fathers welcome. Group action supported by the Conseil Général de l’Ain (01) and the Caisse d’Allocations Familiales. Free of charge. Meetings are currently held online.

Tel. from France: 04.50.41.54.62 or 04.50.40.73.41
Tel. from Switzerland: +33 4.50.41.54.62 or +33 4.50.40.73.41

Swiss Foundation for Breastfeeding Promotion

On the website, you find a Brochure “Allaiter” in 12 languages for mothers and families. Good documentation on breastfeeding and work in Switzerland and legal advice www.allaiter.ch

Lactation consultants (IBCLC – DIU – CAS)

For specific questions about breastfeeding or special situations, lactation consultations can help you. Three breastfeeding consultations are reimbursed by the basic health insurance (LAMAL) in Switzerland.

Midwives

– Swiss Federation of Midwives

To find a midwife, go to the Swiss Federation of Midwives website (SFM) http://www.hebamme.ch/ You can select the service “breastfeeding counselling” or the additional service “IBCLC lactation consultant”.

– Arcade sages-femmes

The Arcade Midwives offers the following activities – details on the website: http://www.arcade-sages-femmes.ch/

  • Hotline 7 / 7. Phone 022 329 05 55
  • Home consultations (check your insurance for reimbursement)
  • “Get prepared for breastfeeding” (2 times / month, in French) on Tuesday, 4.30 to 6.30 pm, free.
  • “Breastfeeding encounters” (2 times / month, in French) on Thursday, 2.30 to 4.00 pm, free. Share your experience about breastfeeding and ask questions, get counseling from an experiences midwive.

– The Baobab midwives (new since 15 April 2021)
Do you have questions about pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding? Free consultation on Thursday afternoons (except public holidays) from 2pm to 5pm, without appointment. Quartier des Vergers, Esplanade des Récréations 20, Meyrin.

Gynaecologist-Obstetrician Practice, specialised in breastfeeding

Cabinet Dre Tatiana Giraud, Route des Acacias 54bis, 1227 Carouge – GE
Phone 022 309 33 06

Cabinet Dre Ana Godinho-Lourenço,  Rue Plantamour 19, 1201 Genève
Phone 022 738 88 00

Pediatric practice of the Carouge clinic

The practice is composed of several therapists.
The paediatricians Sophie Guillot and Aline Richard welcome you for the follow-up of your children from birth.
Tiphaine Folger, midwife and IBCLC lactation consultant, will accompany you in your breastfeeding project or during transition periods such as the return to work or the diversification of food.

Contact details : https://cliniquedecarouge.ch/pediatrie/
Carouge Clinic
Avenue Cardinal Mermillod, 1
1227 Carouge
Telephone : 022 309 45 20

Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève HUG (University Hospital of Geneva)

The Lactation Consultants assure consultations without without appointment from Monday to Friday except for Thursday (only with reservation in advance). If nesseray, a medical consulation will be provided.

The in-Hospital Lactation Consultants organize courses in birthing preparation and breastfeeding initiation.

Hôpital de La Tour

Private Maternity – Whether you give birth at La Tour Maternity Hospital or not, breastfeeding consultants welcome you to talk about your breastfeeding plans and to accompany you when you return home.

Clinique Générale Beaulieu

Private Maternity – Our team of Lactation Consultants will accompany you whether you have a project to give birth in our Clinic or not. We offer outpatient consultations to answer your questions before the birth or throughout your breastfeeding.

  • Address:  Maternity Section, 1st floor, Chemin de Beau-Soleil 20, 1206 Genève
  • Make an appointment: Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm by phone 022 839 57 07
  • Consultation schedule (or counseling by phone): Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8am to 3.30pm by phone 022 839 56 17
  • Website : https://www.beaulieu.ch/maternite/apres-la-naissance/allaitement/

Various Informations

Breastfeeding while working

For many women, going back to work goes hand in hand with weaning – but it doesn’t have to be that way. In many cases, breastfeeding or expressing milk can be continued even while working. Since 2014, Swiss legislation has made breastfeeding or expressing milk at work a paid break. More information on breastfeeding and work

Breastfeeding when your baby is in daycare? Yes, this is possible!

The Child Health Service (Service Santé de l’enfance et de la jeunesse SSEJ) in Geneva offers support to educational teams in order to encourage continued breastfeeding in early childhood institutions and day care centers. Please contact severine.emery-martin@etat.ge.ch for more information.

Extended breastfeeding

According to the WHO, exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and continued breastfeeding for 2 years and beyond is recommended for the health of the child and the mother. In many culture what is called “extended breastfeeding” is simply a “normal” breastfeeding duration. In Switzerland, breastfeeding beyond 12 months can provoke comments. Do you have questions about breastfeeding a toddler, the value and composition of your milk, or the psychological benefits of breastfeeding for attachment and bonding? Are you looking for arguments to defend your breastfeeding project? Here is some information:

Depressed? Tired?

If you are in a state of chronic fatigue, have dark thoughts and no energy, you may be experiencing depression. This happens to many postpartum women. They experience a gap between the ideal world with a beautiful baby, and the reality of everyday life which can be exhausting, where you can feel alone and helpless. Do not hesitate to ask for help by contacting the HUG “Mood disorders and perinatality” network. Treatment of depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder in connection with pregnancy (before, during or after).

You can also check out the Australian POSSUM ressources “Growing Joy in Early life”

When we have a baby, it’s normal to find ourselves having to manage a lot of difficult thoughts and feelings. These videos offer you a set of simple strategies for taking care of your mental health in the perinatal period, from a new scientifically proven psychology known as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT.

Mamamap

Mamamap is an application that lists the breastfeeding spaces available to the public in Geneva and elsewhere. A “Breastfeeding Space” is an accessible and discreet, non-smoking place where mothers are welcomed and can breastfeed their child confortably.

Important: A woman is allowed to breastfeed her child in public everywhere in Switzerland!

Parent-children consultation

Depending on the region and structure, you will find people who are also trained in breastfeeding counseling. In Geneva IMAD, Portal Enfance et maternité is responsable for the parent-children consultations.

Information for fathers

Dads do not breastfeed and yet their presence is very important from the beginning of the child’s life. Their role is different from that of the mother, it is complementary. However, the father’s place is not always easy to take, the man also goes through a gestation and birth phase to become a father! He must learn to identify his feelings, talk about his doubts and express his expectations. – Want to know more?