Switzerland's baby windows save lives for 25 years—but gaps remain
Switzerland's baby windows have marked 25 years since their introduction, with the latest case recorded in August 2025. A healthy newborn boy was left at Olten Cantonal Hospital, becoming the last entry in the country's foundling statistics for 1997–2026. These facilities were designed to offer a safe alternative to abandonment or harm, and recent data suggests they have succeeded in reducing such cases.
The first baby window in Switzerland opened in 2001 at Einsiedeln Hospital in Canton Schwyz. It was used for the first time a year later. Over the following decades, the system expanded, though gaps remain—around four more locations are still needed to cover areas without access.
Between 2012 and 2021, the windows saw their highest usage, with 21 babies placed in them. During the same period, seven infants were either abandoned or killed. Earlier figures, from 1997 to 2021, show a sharper contrast: 31 babies were left in the windows, while 12 were abandoned and 18 killed.
Dominik Mügger, who manages the Baby Windows project for Swiss Aid for Mother and Child, points to the clear impact of these facilities. The numbers of abandoned and killed babies have dropped significantly since records began in 1997. The trend confirms that the windows provide a critical lifeline for newborns at risk.
The most recent case—a boy left at Olten in August 2025—closes the latest chapter in Switzerland's foundling statistics. While the system has proven effective, some regions still lack coverage, leaving room for further expansion.
The decline in child abandonment and infanticide aligns with the growing use of baby windows across Switzerland. With 25 years of data now available, the facilities have shown their value as a protective measure. However, gaps in coverage mean that a small but important number of locations still require similar services to ensure nationwide safety for vulnerable newborns.
