Getting breastfeeding started under pandemic visiting restrictions: lessons learned in Germany
Mathilde Kersting1, Erika Sievers2, Nele Hockamp3
1Research Department of Child Nutrition, University Hospital of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Alexandrinenstraße 5, 44791, Bochum, Germany. mathilde.kersting@ruhr-uni-bochum.de.
International Breastfeeding Journal
|September 13, 2024
Summary
COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on hospital visits positively impacted breastfeeding initiation. Both mothers and maternity staff found the limited contact beneficial, with many supporting continued restrictions for enhanced mother-infant bonding.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal care
- Maternal-infant health
- Public health interventions
Background:
- COVID-19 pandemic necessitated significant changes in maternal visiting policies during the critical breastfeeding initiation period.
- Limited contact during this time raised questions about its impact on the breastfeeding experience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess how maternity ward staff and mothers perceived the conditions for initiating breastfeeding under pandemic-related contact restrictions.
- To evaluate the impact of these restrictions on the early breastfeeding experience and mother-infant dyad development.
Main Methods:
- The study surveyed healthcare professionals and mothers in German maternity hospitals (SINA study, 2021/22).
- Telephone surveys with ward staff (n=82) and online questionnaires for mothers (n=192) were used to gather data on breastfeeding support conditions before and during the pandemic.
Main Results:
- Nearly all hospitals implemented visit restrictions, allowing only the primary support person.
- A high percentage of ward staff (97.6%) believed restrictions benefited mothers, and 78.0% felt they benefited staff.
- Over 80% of staff supported maintaining restrictions post-pandemic, with mothers generally rating them as appropriate.
Conclusions:
- Pandemic-induced visiting restrictions acted as an unplanned "experiment" in perinatal care.
- Restricting visitors may be a valuable, underestimated factor in supporting the mother-infant dyad during breastfeeding in hospital settings.
Keywords:
Breastfeeding initiationBreastfeeding supportCOVID-19 pandemicCross-sectional studyGermanyHospital visiting restrictionMaternity ward staffMore Related Videos
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