Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding Practices Among Women with Infants Aged 0-24 Months: A Comparative Study of Pre-Pandemic and Pandemic Deliveries

Abstract

Objectives: It is important to understand the impact of the pandemic on breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices. This study was conducted to examine the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the complementary feeding and breastfeeding practices of mothers with 0-24-month-old infants who gave birth before and during the pandemic. Materials and Methods: This study used a cross-sectional, descriptive study design. An online survey including demographic variables, questions about breastfeeding, and complementary feeding practices was sent through the online data collection platform. Results: A total of 814 mothers [489 delivered before the pandemic (BP), 325 delivered during the pandemic (DP)] with infants infant 0-24 months old completed the survey. Mothers reported that 31.4% of DP infants were exclusively breastfed, while 67.5% of BP infants were breastfed+complementary fed. A perception of insufficient milk production was higher in DP mothers (27.0%, n = 80) than BP mothers (10.8%, n = 42) (p<0.001). The proportion of early initiation to infant formula was higher in DP mothers (2.3±2.64 months) than BP mothers (3.4±3.62 months) (p = 0.034). The rate of mothers who stated that they would not make any changes in the feeding practices of infants in case of being infected with COVID-19 was higher in DP mothers (83.1%) than BP mothers (75.9%) (p = 0.040). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic may affect the method of breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices. These results emphasize the need to receive professional support for breastfeeding and complementary feeding during the outbreak.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• breastfeeding
• complementary feeding
• infant

Abstract

Amaç: Pandeminin emzirme ve tamamlayıcı beslenme uygulamaları üzerindeki etkisini anlamak önemlidir. Bu kesitsel çalışma, pandemi öncesi ve sırasında doğum yapan 0-24 aylık bebeği olan annelerin COVID-19 kısıtlamalarının emzirme ve tamamlayıcı beslenme uygulamalarını nasıl etkilediğini değerlendirmek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çevrimiçi veri toplama platformu aracılığıyla demografik değişkenler, emzirme ile ilgili sorular ve tamamlayıcı beslenme uygulamalarını içeren bir anket katılımcılara gönderilmiştir. Bulgular: 0-24 aylık bebeği olan toplam 814 anne [pandemiden önce doğum (BP) yapan 489, pandemi sırasında doğum (DP) yapan 325] anketi tamamladı. Pandemi sırasında doğan bebeklerin %31,4'ü sadece anne sütü ile beslenirken, pandemiden önce doğanların %67,5'i anne sütü + tamamlayıcı besinlerle beslenmiştir. Yetersiz süt üretimi algısı pandemi sürecinde doğum yapan annelerde (%27,0, n=80) pandemiden önce doğum yapanlara (%10,8, n=42) göre daha yüksekti (p=0,001). Bebek mamasına erken başlama oranı pandemi sürecinde doğum yapan annelerde (2,3±2,64 ay) pandemiden önce doğum yapanlara (3,4±3,62 ay) göre daha yüksekti (p=0,034). COVID-19 ile enfekte olması durumunda bebeklerin beslenme uygulamalarında herhangi bir değişiklik yapmayacaklarını belirten annelerin oranı pandemi sürecinde doğum yapan annelerde (%83,1) pandemi öncesinde doğum yapanlara (%75,9) göre daha yüksekti (p=0,040). Sonuç: Bu sonuçlar, COVID-19 pandemisinin emzirme yöntemini ve tamamlayıcı beslenme uygulamalarını etkileyebileceğini göstermektedir. Annelerin ilk 6 ay sadece anne sütü ile bebeğini beslemesi teşvik edilmelidir. Sonuçlar, salgın sırasında erişilebilir profesyonel emzirme ve tamamlayıcı beslenme uygulamaları yardımına duyulan ihtiyacı desteklemektedir.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• emzirme
• tamamlayıcı beslenme
• bebek

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