Nutrition Division, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel.
School of Public Health, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
Int Breastfeed J. 2022 Aug 26;17(1):61. doi: 10.1186/s13006-022-00505-5.
Since March 2020, the world has been coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. One group particularly affected were mothers of newborns. The Israeli government imposed three lockdowns, with the first from 14 March to 11 May 2020. It had the strictest rules, with effects among mothers including panic and stress. These mothers coped with new challenges as they were often without help from the extended family, could not meet lactation counsellors in person, and stayed longer on maternity leave.
A cross-sectional, observational study collected data via an online anonymous survey in Israel. From 27 April 2020 to 11 May 2020, the survey was distributed through Facebook groups for breastfeeding mothers. It contained 32 multiple choice and 10 open questions. Multivariate logistic regression analysis, with adjustment for potential factors, was performed to determine the pandemic-related factors influencing breastfeeding, including the decision to breastfeed longer than planned.
Five hundred eighty women participated in the survey. Most mothers were over 30, (mean age 32.55), married with an academic degree (81.5%). 127 (22%) women reported changes in their lactation plans. 85 (15%) responded that due to the COVID -19 pandemic they extended their breastfeeding period and 42 (7%) reported shortening it. A significant relationship was found between this extension and returning to work later than expected adjusted OR = 2.38 95% CI 1.46,3.87). When asked to rank steps national health authorities should take to encourage breastfeeding, the highest agreement (96%) was with maternity leave extension. More than 90% believed that receiving breastfeeding counselling at home and/or in hospital will encourage breastfeeding.
This study demonstrated that most women did not change their breastfeeding patterns because of the lockdown though some did experience difficulties. Some lengthened their breastfeeding period, as, due to the pandemic, they stayed home longer than expected. This finding should be considered for future emergency situations.
自 2020 年 3 月以来，全球一直在应对 COVID-19 大流行。受影响特别大的群体之一是新生儿的母亲。以色列政府实施了三次封锁，第一次是从 2020 年 3 月 14 日至 5 月 11 日。封锁期间实施了最严格的规定，导致母亲们出现恐慌和压力等情绪。这些母亲在应对新的挑战时，往往得不到大家庭的帮助，无法亲自与哺乳顾问会面，并且在产假期间呆的时间更长。
这是一项横断面观察性研究，通过以色列的在线匿名调查收集数据。从 2020 年 4 月 27 日至 5 月 11 日，通过 Facebook 上的母乳喂养母亲群组分发了这项调查。它包含 32 个多项选择题和 10 个开放问题。进行多变量逻辑回归分析，并对潜在因素进行调整，以确定与大流行相关的影响母乳喂养的因素，包括决定延长母乳喂养时间的因素。
共有 580 名女性参与了这项调查。大多数母亲年龄在 30 岁以上（平均年龄为 32.55 岁），已婚且具有学历（81.5%）。127 名（22%）母亲报告说她们的哺乳计划发生了变化。85 名（15%）母亲因 COVID-19 大流行而延长了母乳喂养期，42 名（7%）母亲缩短了母乳喂养期。调整潜在因素后发现，这种延长与晚于预期返回工作岗位之间存在显著关系，调整后的比值比（OR）为 2.38，95%置信区间（CI）为 1.46-3.87。当被问及国家卫生当局应采取哪些措施来鼓励母乳喂养时，96%的人最同意延长产假。超过 90%的人认为在家庭中或医院提供母乳喂养咨询将鼓励母乳喂养。
本研究表明，尽管有些母亲确实遇到了困难，但大多数母亲并没有因为封锁而改变母乳喂养模式。一些母亲延长了母乳喂养期，因为由于大流行，她们比预期的在家呆的时间更长。这一发现应在未来的紧急情况下加以考虑。
