The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global health pandemic in early March 2020. The number of deaths caused by the transmission of the COVID-19 virus continued to increase every day. Various efforts and strategies have been designed, ranging from prevention, such as vaccination, lockdown, health promotion, use of masks, and physical distancing, to the application of curative and alternative medicine. However, the situation was exacerbated by mutation variants that caused the emergence of second wave in several countries. COVID-19 had a wide impact on the health and non-health sectors. One of the health sectors affected was maternal and child health.
There were around 140 million births during the pandemic, and many mothers had difficulty breastfeeding their babies with the increase in positive cases of COVID-19. The fear observed in breastfeeding mothers was that their breast milk might contain the COVID-19 virus pathogen. Pregnant women and newborns were also included in the high-risk group and were vulnerable because of their low immune systems and the capacity to easily get infected. World Health Organization (WHO) provided advice related to breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic. WHO recommended and encouraged women with COVID-19 to continue breastfeeding under strict health protocols.
Breast milk is recommended to be given to newborns during the first six months of life and continued until the age of 24 months, accompanied by complementary foods. Breastfeeding can be a source of nutrients for growth during the first few months of life. In addition, passive immune transfer between mother and baby can be done through breastfeeding. The study aimed to provide comprehensive evidence regarding potential virus transmission and antibody transfer through breastmilk and the experiences of mothers related to breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this study can support mothers to continue breastfeeding through the available evidence and resolve problems related to breastfeeding during the pandemic.
Considering the benefits of breastfeeding and no adequate evidence for transmission of COVID-19 via breast milk, there is no indication to stop breastfeeding. Nonetheless, the experience of mothers reported during the pandemic demonstrate a change in breastfeeding patterns even though most mothers supported and believed that breastfeeding should be continued during the lockdown. Anxiety and lack of support affected mothers in giving breastmilk to their babies. Mothers had reported different experiences, such as feeling protected by the lockdown. However, mothers had to struggle to get support and still encountered many related obstacles, so they decided to stop breastfeeding or breastfed irregularly. Some even shifted to a combination with formula milk. However, adherence to universal protocols can reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of COVID-19.
Authors: Kurniawati E.M., Rahmawati N.A., Putri I.S., Widiatmaja D.M., Praba V.M., Visuddho, Prameswari F.U., Zahrani M., Putra F.N., Nugraha D., Widiastara A.A.
Details of the research can be viewed here:
https://openpublichealthjournal.com/VOLUME/15/ELOCATOR/e187494452206130/
