Introduction: Tandem breastfeeding is the practice in which a mother breastfeeds two children of different ages at the same time, most commonly a newborn, and an older child. Although natural, it is often overlooked. Despite its long history, the practice remains misunderstood, stigmatized and frequently rejected—both in wider society and among health care professionals. Purpose: The aim of this thesis is to examine how well tandem breastfeeding is known in society and what attitudes individuals hold toward the practice. Using a questionnaire survey, we sought to determine the level of awareness, prevailing beliefs and possible prejudices. The goal is to contribute to a better understanding of public opinion and to highlight the importance of raising awareness and providing professional support to mothers who choose this form of breastfeeding. Methods: We employed a quantitative, causal–non experimental research design. The target population comprised random contacts who are users of the social media platforms Instagram and Facebook. Data were collected with an online questionnaire designed based on 24 professional and scientific sources in Slovenian and English. The questionnaire included a demographic section and a section on knowledge and attitudes toward tandem breastfeeding. It was pilot tested on ten individuals; the final version was available via the 1ka platform from 10 March to 15 April 2025. Results: The study showed that tandem breastfeeding is poorly known to most respondents: only 34 % had heard of it before. A majority held neutral or negative attitudes toward breastfeeding older children (over two years) and toward tandem breastfeeding. Only half of respondents correctly understood the term “tandem breastfeeding.” Most of the general population believed that health professionals do not provide sufficient information on the topic. Nevertheless, 62 % of respondents would support a mother who chooses tandem breastfeeding. Half of those surveyed thought that breast milk still benefits the older child. The challenges most frequently cited for tandem breastfeeding mothers were fatigue, negative reactions from others and lack of support. Discussion and conclusion: Tandem breastfeeding in Slovenia remains poorly understood and often misperceived. Most respondents either do not support the practice or hold neutral views. Awareness is low, and professional support for mothers is limited. Despite scientifically proven benefits, mothers frequently encounter prejudice, fatigue and insufficient support. Greater public awareness and professional backing are essential for wider acceptance.
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