Breastfeeding rates fell in an Italian baby friendly hospital during the 2020 COVID‐19 pandemic year and difficulties increased

Abstract

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund recommend that mothers start breastfeeding within 1 h of birth and exclusively breastfeed for up to 6 months of age. 1,2 To promote breastfeeding, they support the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding as a part of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI).This includes support for mothers, help in initiating and continuing

No change in mother's own milk provision and breastfeeding rates in preterm infants during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…The study from Italy cited above had nearly the same results concerning the rate of breastfeeding at discharge in VLBW infants (73.3% vs. 72.7%) 17 . Studies analysing healthy neonates found lower breastfeeding rates, more breastfeeding difficulties, and increased rates of mixed feeding during the pandemic 15 …”

“…17 Studies analysing healthy neonates found lower breastfeeding rates, more breastfeeding difficulties, and increased rates of mixed feeding during the pandemic. 15 The unaltered duration of MOM provision, feeding type and breastfeeding rates may be linked to our visiting policy right from the start of the pandemic. Mothers were never regarded as visitors but as accompanying persons.…”

“…Several reports found a marked decrease in breastfeeding rates of healthy neonates born during the pandemic, 15 while studies on the provision of MOM for preterm infants in NICUs had inconsistent results. Infants born <34 weeks of gestation 16 suffered no consequences in MOM provision while in other studies analysing VLBW infants 17 and infants <1000 g 18 the availability of MOM decreased.…”

“…Lactation counselling and instructing mothers in pumping milk for their babies, considered a pillar of good clinical practice in the care of preterm infants on the NICU, was negatively affected by redistribution of staff to special COVID-19 wards. 13,14 Several reports found a marked decrease in breastfeeding rates of healthy neonates born during the pandemic, 15 while studies on the provision of MOM for preterm infants in NICUs had inconsistent results. Infants born <34 weeks of gestation 16 suffered no consequences in MOM provision while in other studies analysing VLBW infants 17 and infants <1000 g 18 the availability of MOM decreased.…”

Breastfeeding Rates During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany: Data from the CRONOS Registry

“…With increasing evidence, the recommendations and guidelines of many societies like the "German Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology" (DGGG), the "German Society for Perinatal Medicine" (DGPM), the "National Breastfeeding Committee Germany" (NSK) and the "society for neonatology and pediatric intensive care medicine" (GNPI) in Germany have been adapted accordingly and have thus led to reliable advisory bases for medical personnel and parents [14,15]. There are differing reports in breastfeeding behavior (increased, decreased, stayed constant ) in the literature [16][17][18]. One of the most important factors affecting breastfeeding rates was the acute/acquired maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection severity.…”