SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
The Content of Breast Milk and the Challenges Experienced by Breastfeeding Mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A Systematic Review
Eighty Mardiyan Kurniawati1, *, Nur Anisah Rahmawati2, Innas Safira Putri3, Deandra Maharani Widiatmaja3, Venansya Maulina Praba3, Visuddho3, Faida Ufaira Prameswari3, Marsha Zahrani3, Felix Nugraha Putra3, David Nugraha3, Antonio Ayrton Widiastara3
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2022Volume: 15
E-location ID: e187494452206130
Publisher ID: e187494452206130
DOI: 10.2174/18749445-v15-e2206130
Article History:
Received Date: 15/8/2021Revision Received Date: 1/9/2021
Acceptance Date: 06/12/2021
Electronic publication date: 23/08/2022
Collection year: 2022
open-access license: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC-BY 4.0), a copy of which is available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Abstract
Introduction:
Every postpartum mother is recommended to breastfeed her baby because breast milk is the main need of newborns. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on life in various aspects, including on the breastfeeding mothers, especially if they suffer from COVID-19 infection.
Aim:
The study aims 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.
Methods:
A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. The search strategy involved the use of keywords related to COVID-19 and breastfeeding in PubMed and Science Direct databases. Articles were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Results:
Breastfeeding has been recommended to be continued during the pandemic due to the benefits associated with it and the absence of sufficient evidence for transmission of COVID-19 infection through breast milk. During the lockdown period, there was a change in breastfeeding patterns, although most mothers believed that breastfeeding should be continued. Anxiety and lack of support affected breastfeeding practices. Breastfeeding mothers reported a dilemmatic situation. They felt protected because of the lockdown policy but also struggled to get support from their social environment. The impact varied in terms of stopping breastfeeding practice altogether, breastfeeding irregularly, and even giving formula milk.
Conclusion:
Adherence to health protocols can reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 infection through breastfeeding from mother to baby. Support from the family and the environment is needed to ensure the continuity of breastfeeding practice.
