Changes in Breastfeeding and Lactation Support Experiences During COVID.
J Womens Health (Larchmt)
; 32(2): 150-160, 2023 02.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36576992
ABSTRACT
Background:
We surveyed parents who gave birth from 2019 to 2021 to examine changes in breastfeeding experiences and professional and lay breastfeeding support services due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We also examined racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding support. Materials andMethods:
A cross-sectional opt-in survey of 1,617 parents was administered on Ovia's parenting app in January 2022. Respondents were 18-45 years of age and delivered in one of three birth cohorts August-December 2019, March-May 2020, or June-August 2021. We fit linear and logistic regression models wherein the outcomes were six breastfeeding support and experience measures, adjusting for birth cohort and respondent demographics.Results:
Parents who gave birth in the early pandemic versus those in the prepandemic had reduced odds of interacting with lactation consultants (odds ratio [OR] 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.44-0.90), attending breastfeeding classes (OR 0.71; 95% CI 0.54-0.94), meeting breastfeeding goals (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.46-0.92), and reporting it was easy to get breastfeeding help (estimate -0.36; 95% CI -0.55 to -0.17). Birth cohort was not associated with use of donor milk or receipt of in-hospital help. The later pandemic cohort differed from the prepandemic cohort for oneoutcome:
they were less likely to meet their breastfeeding goals (OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.48-0.95). There were racial and ethnic disparities in the use of multiple types of breastfeeding support. Although one-third of respondents felt that the pandemic facilitated breastfeeding because of more time at home, 18% felt the pandemic posed additional challenges including disruptions to lactation support.Conclusions:
Parents who gave birth in the later pandemic did not report significant disruptions to professional breastfeeding support, likely as a result of the growth of virtual services. However, disparities in receipt of support require policy attention and action.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Lactancia Materna
/
COVID-19
Límite:
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Womens Health (Larchmt)
Asunto de la revista:
GINECOLOGIA
/
SAUDE DA MULHER
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos