ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: to assess the COVID-19 pandemic impact on breastfeeding rates during birth hospitalization in a Baby-Friendly certified perinatal hospital in Portugal.
METHODS: observational retrospective study comparing pre-pandemic (2019) and pandemic (April-December 2020) periods. A total of 900 healthy term mother-newborn dyads in rooming-in were included. Maternal and neonatal variables associated with breastfeeding at discharge were analyzed using chi-square, Student's t-test, and multivariable logistic regression (p<0.05).
RESULTS: breastfeeding rates were higher in the pandemic period (99.3%) than in the pre-pandemic period (97.6%; p=0.031). Exclusive breastfeeding (80.2% vs. 81.6%; p=0.611) and skin-to-skin contact (56.2% vs. 58.0%; p=0.590) did not differ significantly. Exclusive breastfeeding was associated with vaginal delivery (pre-pandemic OR=3.07; 95%CI=1.83-5.13; p<0.001; pandemic OR=2.29; 95%CI=1.39-3.77; p=0.001), weight loss <10% (p<0.001), and absence of phototherapy in the pre-pandemic period (OR=3.38; 95%CI=1.96-7.12; p<0.001). No associations were found with maternal age, parity, sex, or gestational age.
CONCLUSIONS: exclusive breastfeeding rates were not negatively affected by pandemic restrictions. Maintaining Baby-Friendly practices preserved essential breastfeeding support.

Keywords: Breastfeeding, COVID-19 pandemic, Newborn

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