France postnatal care: Gap identified in mandatory consultation usage

In France, there is a significant gap between legal rights and the actual utilization of early postnatal consultations. Although these appointments became mandatory in 2022 to monitor postpartum depression, breastfeeding difficulties, and social needs, a report from Amiens indicated that only one-quarter of women had benefited from them as of 2024.

Parents are encouraged to proactively request these sessions from midwives or doctors. To navigate the vast amount of online parenting information, experts suggest distinguishing between opinion-based blogs and validated institutional resources. The platform 1000-premiers-jours.fr, managed by Santé publique France, is cited as a primary reliable reference for health-related guidance during pregnancy and infancy.