Institutional relationships in the implementation of breastfeeding promotion, protection and support strategies: an integrative review

Background: the importance of breastfeeding in the health and quality of life of individuals makes it necessary for the policies established for its promotion to be implemented through the participation and coordination of institutions and through inter-institutional networks. Methods: for the compilation of the information, an integrative literature review was carried out, the purpose of which was to broaden the understanding of a topic through the collection, systematization and analysis of scientific productions. Results: 14 articles published between 2013 and 2020 and mostly written in English were selected from countries such as the United States, Germany, United Kingdom and Samoa. The most recurrent themes were the analysis of public policies, program coordination and perceptions of the functioning of breastfeeding promotion, protection and support strategies. Conclusions: Intra- and inter-institutional relationships are key to the implementation of breastfeeding promotion policies. However, their implementation requires funding and coordination at the operational levels of health systems. In short the articulation, monitoring and evaluation require strengthened relationships that encourage, protect, promote and support the practice of breastfeeding. © 2023 Sociedad Espanola de Nutricion Comunitaria. All rights reserved.