Switzerland Marks 25 Years of Baby Hatches, 31 Newborns Safely Left.

Swiss Organisation for Mother and Child marked the 25th anniversary of Switzerland’s first baby hatch on Saturday, highlighting its long-term impact on child protection and safe anonymous birth options.

The first baby hatch in Canton Schwyz opened at Einsiedeln Hospital on May 9, 2001, following the tragic discovery of two abandoned newborns in 1999 in different parts of Switzerland.

Since its introduction, baby hatches—also known as “baby boxes”—have allowed mothers in extreme distress to safely and anonymously place newborns into medical care.

The system uses a heated cot installed in a hospital wall. Once a baby is placed inside, a silent alarm alerts medical staff within minutes, ensuring immediate care.

Over the past 25 years, 31 newborns have been safely left at eight baby hatch locations across Switzerland.

Hospital staff, including midwives, take responsibility for the newborns immediately after alert activation. The babies are then placed in foster care within days.

Adoption can take place after at least one year, while biological parents retain the right to reclaim their child until legal adoption is completed.

The foundation noted that before the introduction of baby hatches, Switzerland recorded several cases of abandoned or deceased newborns. Between 1997 and 2001, there were 13 such cases.

However, in the last five years (2021–2026), no cases of newborn abandonment or infanticide have been recorded in the country, according to the foundation.

Supporters say baby hatches provide a life-saving alternative in crisis situations, while critics continue to debate legal and ethical implications.

Despite the debate, the system is considered an important part of Switzerland’s child protection framework and has inspired similar initiatives in other countries.