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Breastfeeding in a COVID-19 world
Vanessa S Sakalidis1, Sharon L Perrella1,2, Stuart A Prosser1,2
1School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted maternal care, but continued breastfeeding and vaccination offer infant protection against SARS-CoV-2. Prioritizing lactation support is crucial for mothers during pandemics.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal health
- Infectious disease epidemiology
- Public health policy
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered the birthing and postnatal experiences for women globally.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women face increased health risks from SARS-CoV-2 infection and are more susceptible to mental health challenges.
- Access to essential postnatal and lactation support services was often restricted during the pandemic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of policy changes on pregnant and breastfeeding women during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To examine the evidence supporting continued breastfeeding and the safety/efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in this population.
- To explore the pandemic's effects on maternal wellbeing and postulate future lactation support strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of policy changes, breastfeeding evidence, and vaccine data related to COVID-19.
- Analysis of pandemic-related consequences on maternal mental health and wellbeing.
- Synthesis of findings to propose future directions for perinatal and lactation support.
Main Results:
- Women experienced restricted postnatal care access, increasing vulnerability and mental health risks.
- Continued breastfeeding may provide passive immunity to infants against SARS-CoV-2.
- COVID-19 vaccination is safe and effective for pregnant and lactating women.
Conclusions:
- Continued breastfeeding and maternal vaccination are vital for infant protection against SARS-CoV-2.
- Mothers should not face isolation during future pandemics; integrated perinatal and lactation care is essential.
- Adaptable, holistic support services, including digital and in-person options, are key for optimizing breastfeeding during health crises.
Purpose Of Review:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the birthing and postnatal experience of women. This review highlights how policy changes have affected pregnant and breastfeeding women, the evidence for continued breastfeeding and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines, and how the pandemic's unexpected consequences have affected these women's wellbeing. Additionally, we postulate the future of lactation and perinatal support as the pandemic continues.
Recent Findings:
Women who have given birth during the pandemic have had restricted access to postnatal care. Although pregnant and breastfeeding women who contract SARS-CoV-2 are more vulnerable to poor health outcomes than their nonpregnant counterparts, they are also at higher risk of mental health difficulties, with limited access to support. Continued breastfeeding may be protective to the infant, offering passive immunity against SARS-CoV-2, and vaccination against COVID-19 is safe and effective for pregnant and lactating women. Innovative and adaptable lactation care, including holistic perinatal, mental health, and social support services, both digital and in-person, will help mothers continue breastfeeding during future outbreaks.
Summary:
Continued breastfeeding and vaccination may confer protection to the infant against SARS-CoV-2 infection. New mothers should not be isolated in future pandemics. Prioritizing lactation and perinatal care, including in-person services, remains paramount to optimizing breastfeeding during COVID-19.
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