Hospital Breastfeeding Support during the Early Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Pandemic

Worsening Care for Black, Hispanic, and Asian Mothers

Bibliographic Data

ID15340786
AuthorsJane Lazar Tucker (0000-0001-7342-1461, Rhode Island College, corresponding author), Kimberly Arcoleo (University of Rhode Island), Diane DiTomasso (0000-0001-7383-9286, University of Rhode Island), Brietta M Oaks (0000-0001-6056-0585, University of Rhode Island), Howard J Cabral (0000-0002-1185-8331, Boston University), Howard Cabral (0000-0002-0320-9411), Thaís Moreira São‐João (0000-0002-8520-6483, University of Rhode Island), Thaís São-João
Year2025
Volume29
Issue9
Pages1226-1231
Publication date2025-07-25
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMaternal and Child Health Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1092-7875 • E-ISSN: 1573-6628
PublisherSpringer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1007/s10995-025-04123-5
PMID40711678
OpenAlexW4412654083
LanguageEN
References cited20

This study examines changes in Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) key clinical practices in US hospitals during the early coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (April– December 2020) compared to before the pandemic. Using data from PRAMS (Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System) between 2016 and 2020, we conducted linear regression analyses to calculate the percentage-point change in BFHI key clinical practices overall and by race and ethnicity. A total of 73,380 new mothers were included in our analyses. Overall, receipt of ideal breastfeeding care declined during the pandemic [(pp -1.6, 95% CI (-2.7, -0.4)]. Among racial and ethnic subgroups, declines were noted for Black non-Hispanic [pp -3.4, 95% CI (-6.0, -0.8)], English-speaking Hispanic [pp -3.2, 95% CI (-6.0, -0.4)], Spanish-speaking Hispanic [pp -3.1, 95% CI (-6.1, -0.1)], and Asian/Pacific Islander [pp -4.0, 95% CI (-7.0, -1.0)] mothers; no changes were noted for White non-Hispanic, American Indian/Alaskan Native non-Hispanic, or Mixed Race non-Hispanic respondents. The COVID-19 pandemic decreased receipt of the BFHI key clinical practices and exacerbated disparities in evidence-based breastfeeding care for Black non-Hispanic, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander non-Hispanic mothers. Future research is needed to determine if breastfeeding care has returned to pre-pandemic levels and, if not, to develop strategies to improve breastfeeding care for those most affected by the pandemic. There is evidence of disparities in receipt of hospital breastfeeding care for Black non-Hispanic, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander non-Hispanic mothers compared to White non-Hispanic mothers. Preliminary reports suggest that COVID-19 decreased breastfeeding help from hospital staff (Lubbe et al., 2022). No prior study has investigated the possibility of worsening disparities in breastfeeding care during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Black non-Hispanic, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander non-Hispanic mothers experienced declining receipt of evidence-based hospital breastfeeding care. No changes in receipt of care were identified for White non-Hispanic, American Indian/Alaskan Native non-Hispanic, or Mixed Race non-Hispanic mothers

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Breastfeeding · Coronavirus · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Disease · Infectious disease (medical specialty · Outbreak · Pandemic · Public health · Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 · Breastfeeding Practices and Influences · COVID-19 Impact on Reproduction · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Nursing · Internal Medicine · Pediatrics · Virology

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