The Impact of COVID-19 on Breastfeeding Rates in a Low-Income Population
Maria Koleilat, Shannon E. Whaley, Cindy Clapp
Abstract
The prevalence of any breastfeeding at 3 and 6 months and fully breastfeeding at 1, 3, and 6 months was significantly lower among mothers who gave birth during the pandemic compared with mothers who gave birth before the pandemic. The shift to remote services delivery and the corresponding reduction in live support of WIC services owing to the pandemic may explain the decline in the breastfeeding rate. As the nation and the WIC program prepare for the postpandemic life, it is critical to ensure that breastfeeding support is met in a hybrid of remote and face-to-face settings.
Topics & Concepts
BreastfeedingMedicinePandemicCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)PopulationDemographyPediatricsBreast feedingEnvironmental healthDiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)Internal medicineSociologyBreastfeeding Practices and InfluencesCOVID-19 Impact on ReproductionMaternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum