Breastfeeding patterns and stress among lactating women in Pune during the COVID-19 pandemic

Lactating mothers (n=126) residing in Pune, Maharashtra were interviewed to assess the prevalence of stress, rate of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), and its association with different demographic factors. 75.4% mothers were found to be moderately stressed. Rate of EBF was 62.7%. Moderate stress and testing positive for COVID-19 were significantly negatively associated with EBF (P < 0.001).