Prevalence of and Factors Influencing Breastfeeding Pre- and Post-COVID-19

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Current evidence suggests that the benefit of breastfeeding during the pandemic outweighs potential risks and may provide protection for the infant and mother. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the prevalence of breastfeeding changed after the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: With Institutional review board approval, a retrospective chart review of 916 randomly selected women seen between April 2019 and February 2020 (pre-COVID-19 cohort) and April 2020 and February 2021 (post-COVID-19 cohort) was conducted investigating demographics, birth history, breastfeeding, and insurance status. Bivariate correlations evaluated the relationships between breastfeeding and the data points. RESULTS: Overall breastfeeding rates between the pre- (72.5%) and post-COVID-19 (74.6%) cohorts were similar. Medicaid patients were less likely to breastfeed pre-COVID-19 (r=20.13, P<.01) but were even less likely to breastfeed post-COVID-19 (r=20.23, P<.001). Privately insured patients were more likely to breastfeed pre-COVID- 19 (r=0.13, P<.01) and more so post-COVID-19 (r=0.22, P<.001). Black mothers were less likely to breastfeed pre- (r=20.16, P<.01) and post-COVID-19 (r=20.10, P<.05) when compared to other racial groups but were more likely to breastfeed post-COVID- 19 than pre-COVID-19. Multiparous mothers were less likely to breastfeed similarly in both cohorts, pre- (r=20.12, P<.05) and post-COVID-19 (r=0.15, P<.01). Factors that did not significantly influence breastfeeding included delivery type and White or Hispanic race. CONCLUSION: Uncertainty surrounding breastfeeding safety after the onset of COVID-19 did not significantly influence the prevalence of breastfeeding in our population. Private insurance and age positively influenced breastfeeding rates pre- and post-COVID-19, while Medicaid, Black race, and a higher number of pregnancies negatively influenced breastfeeding rates.