SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease are thought to have an impact on
breastfeeding rate – besides other known peripartal issues. Data of the
national CRONOS registry regarding breastfeeding behavior in 6,746 women was
analyzed regarding the time window between maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection and
time of delivery. In addition, other influencing factors like the predominant
viral variant, maternal disease severity, and gestational age at delivery were
taken into account. Our data suggest that within the variables analyzed, in the
case of acute maternal infection (<14 days before birth), breastfeeding
behavior improved with increasing gestational age at birth (p<0.0001),
with less severe maternal illness (p<0.0001) and as the pandemic
progressed with less virulent viral variants (p=0.01). When adjusting
for COVID-19-associated and non-associated factors, rooming-in remains the most
important factor positively influencing breastfeeding behavior. With regards to
the benefits for mother and infants from breastfeeding, a separation of mother
and child even in case of infectious settings should be avoided.