biostudies-literatureUnknown13(10)Kurten CSocial disparities in breastfeeding may result in inequalities of maternal and child health-related future perspectives. In-hospital breastfeeding promotion, information, and support impact short- and long-term breastfeeding practices. This study, which was performed in 2021/2022 in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, examined prepandemic interrelations between in-hospital breastfeeding promotion, information, and support in the federal state North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany, and the socioeconomic structure of the hospitals' catchment areas. Breastfeeding promotion, information, and support were operationalized using a Breastfeeding Promotion Index (BPI) based on the "Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding" postulated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations ChilFood science & nutritione71045https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12528546biostudies-literatureBreastfeeding Promotion in Maternity Wards From a Socioeconomic View.PMC12528546Kurten CSievers EKersting MHockamp NSinningen KLucke TfalseBreastfeeding Promotion in Maternity Wards From a Socioeconomic View.Social disparities in breastfeeding may result in inequalities of maternal and child health-related future perspectives. In-hospital breastfeeding promotion, information, and support impact short- and long-term breastfeeding practices. This study, which was performed in 2021/2022 in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, examined prepandemic interrelations between in-hospital breastfeeding promotion, information, and support in the federal state North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany, and the socioeconomic structure of the hospitals' catchment areas. Breastfeeding promotion, information, and support were operationalized using a Breastfeeding Promotion Index (BPI) based on the "Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding" postulated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Chil2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Oct2026-06-04T13:55:53.118Z2026-05-09T03:12:23.677ZS-EPMC125285464111189110.1002/fsn3.71045