The impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Breastfeeding Practices among Mothers

Year 2024, Volume: 24 Issue: 1, 36 - 42, 07.05.2024

Ayse Unsal , Tülay Kuzlu Ayyıldız

https://doi.org/10.26650/jchild.2024.1315913

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breastfeeding practices among mothers with infants aged 0– 24 months.

Methods: The research was carried out at the Ankara City Hospital’s breastfeeding support/relactation clinic and mother-infant bonding service from December 2021 to May 2022. A sample of 511 mothers who visited these clinics during the study period, agreed to participate, and met the research criteria was included. Data collection was done using a descriptive data form.

Results: The average age of the mothers was 28 ± 4.7 (18–44), and 51.66% had undergone cesarean delivery. Approximately 54.41% of the mothers were university graduates. During the pandemic, 13.0% of the mothers reported breastfeeding-related issues, and all those who faced problems refrained from seeking hospital assistance. Additionally, 12.14% of the mothers had COVID-19 during pregnancy, 76.13% contracted it after childbirth, and 69.70% of those who had COVID-19 discontinued breastfeeding. Furthermore, 28.79% of the mothers who continued breastfeeding reported feeling anxious while nursing. Approximately 57.6% of the mothers stated they did not receive any breastfeeding-related information during the pandemic, and 17.50% experienced breastfeeding issues after quarantine. While hospitalized due to COVID-19, 48.7% of the mothers breastfed their infants, 41.0% fed expressed breast milk and formula, and 10.3% exclusively used formula.

Conclusions: The findings underscored the necessity for breastfeeding counseling services for mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords

Pandemic, breastfeeding, breast milk

Project Number

yok

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