Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Breastfeeding Outcomes in Mothers with COVID-19 Infection During the First Weeks of the Pandemic in Spain. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marín Gabriel, Miguel A; Domingo Comeche, Laura; Cuadrado Pérez, Irene; Reyne Vergeli, Mar; Forti Buratti, Azul; Royuela Vicente, Ana; Olabarrieta Arnal, Iciar; Sánchez, Laura; Alonso Díaz, Clara; Criado, Enrique; Carrizosa Molina, Tamara; Caserío Carbonero, Sonia; Casas Satre, Cristina; Fernández-Cañadas Morillo, Aurora
• Other Names: de Alba Concepción non-byline-author.; de las Heras Susana non-byline-author.; Martínez Lucía non-byline-author.; Villar Gema non-byline-author.; Solé Laia non-byline-author.; Llana Isabel non-byline-author.; Palanca Inmaculada non-byline-author.; Álvarez Blanca non-byline-author.; Dacosta Ana Isabel non-byline-author.; Rivero Irene non-byline-author.; Río Ruth del non-byline-author.; González Ersilia non-byline-author.; Dip María Emilia non-byline-author.; Olza Ibone non-byline-author.
• Is Part Of: Journal of human lactation. Volume 37:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: 639
• Page End: 648
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative -- breastfeeding -- breastfeeding initiation -- breastfeeding practices -- breastfeeding rates -- COVID-19 -- exclusive breastfeeding -- Novel Coronavirus -- SAR-CoV2; Breastfeeding -- Periodicals; Lactation -- Periodicals; 612.664
• DOI: 10.1177/08903344211039182
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0890-3344

Abstract

Background: Adherence to the Ten Steps of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative has been shown to have a protective role for the initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding. Research Aims: (1) To determine the breastfeeding rate during the first 6 months of life in children of mothers diagnosed with COVID-19 infection at the time of birth; and (2) to assess the possible influence of being born in a center with Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative accreditation. Methods: This was a two-group comparative longitudinal observational study of infants born to mothers with COVID-19 at the time of birth, between March 13–May 31, 2020 (the first wave of the pandemic) in Spain. Fourteen Spanish hospitals participated, five (35.7%) were Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative accredited. Type of feeding was assessed prospectively at discharge, 1, 3, and 6 months of age. A total of 248 newborns were included in the study. Results: A total of 117 (47.3%) newborns were born in Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) accredited centers. These centers applied skin-to-skin contact with greater probability ( OR = 1.9; 95% CI [1.18, 3.29]) and separated the newborns from their mothers less frequently ( OR = 0.46; 95% CI [0.26, 0.81]) than non-accredited centers. No differences were observed in relation to the presence of a companion at the time of birth. At discharge, 49.1% ( n = 57) of newborns born in BFHI-accredited centers received exclusive breastfeeding versus 35.3% ( n = 46) in non-accredited centers ( p = .03). No differences were observed in breastfeeding rates throughout follow-up. Conclusions: The exclusive breastfeeding rate at discharge in children of mothers with COVID-19 infection at birth was higher in Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative accredited centers, which most frequently applied skin-to-skin contact at birth as well as rooming-in.