Changes in Breastfeeding and Lactation Support Experiences During COVID
Maria DeYoreo1, Kandice Kapinos1,2, Rebecca Lawrence1
1RAND Corporation, Arlington, Virginia, USA.
Journal of Women'S Health (2002)
|December 28, 2022
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted breastfeeding support, reducing access to lactation consultants and classes. While virtual services helped, racial and ethnic disparities in support persist, requiring policy attention.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Maternal and Child Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered healthcare delivery and social support systems.
- Breastfeeding is crucial for infant and maternal health, with professional and lay support influencing success.
- Understanding pandemic-related changes in breastfeeding support is vital for addressing disparities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine changes in breastfeeding experiences and support services due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To investigate racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding support during the pandemic.
- To compare breastfeeding support across pre-pandemic, early-pandemic, and later-pandemic birth cohorts.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional opt-in survey was administered to 1,617 parents via the Ovia parenting app in January 2022.
- Respondents were categorized into three birth cohorts: August-December 2019 (prepandemic), March-May 2020 (early pandemic), and June-August 2021 (later pandemic).
- Linear and logistic regression models analyzed six breastfeeding support and experience measures, adjusting for birth cohort and demographics.
Main Results:
- Parents in the early pandemic cohort had reduced odds of interacting with lactation consultants, attending classes, meeting breastfeeding goals, and finding it easy to get help compared to the prepandemic cohort.
- The later pandemic cohort showed reduced odds of meeting breastfeeding goals compared to the prepandemic cohort.
- Racial and ethnic disparities were observed in the use of various breastfeeding support types, though professional support disruptions were minimal in the later pandemic, likely due to virtual services.
Conclusions:
- While virtual services mitigated some professional breastfeeding support disruptions during the pandemic, disparities in support access remain a concern.
- The findings highlight the need for policy interventions to address persistent racial and ethnic inequities in breastfeeding support.
- Future research should continue to monitor breastfeeding support trends and disparities in the post-pandemic era.
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