Perinatal Women's Intentions to Use Lactation Support during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the U.S.
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
Ellensburg
Event Website
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source
Start Date
16-5-2021
End Date
22-5-2021
Keywords
Lactation support, COVID-19, Breastfeeding
Abstract
This present, ongoing research aims to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted mothers’ intentions to utilize professional lactation support. We also investigated associations between the intentions and certain demographic variables (age, income, race/ethnicity). Quantitative data from online survey responses by pregnant women with an estimated delivery date between April—July 2020 (n=297) was analyzed to identify trends in the intention to utilize lactation support before the pandemic versus during the pandemic, along with demographic variables. Open-ended question responses were analyzed to find key themes in concerns related to lactation support and infant feeding. Our analysis shows that there was a significant decrease in participants’ intentions to use lactation support during the pandemic compared to before. Our analysis did not show that any demographic variables were associated with intentions to use lactation support during the pandemic. The key themes that emerged within the open-text question responses were maternal and child separation, lack of breastfeeding support, and access to infant formula. Further research is needed to understand the reasoning behind the change in intentions to use lactation support so that breastfeeding is facilitated and encouraged during future emergencies.
Recommended Citation
Pahl, Heather and Johnson, Jaclyn, "Perinatal Women's Intentions to Use Lactation Support during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the U.S." (2021). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 63.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2021/CEPS/63
Department/Program
Health Sciences
Additional Mentoring Department
https://cwu.studentopportunitycenter.com/changes-to-perinatal-womens-intentions-to-use-lactation-support-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-in-the-u-s/
Perinatal Women's Intentions to Use Lactation Support during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the U.S.
Ellensburg
This present, ongoing research aims to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted mothers’ intentions to utilize professional lactation support. We also investigated associations between the intentions and certain demographic variables (age, income, race/ethnicity). Quantitative data from online survey responses by pregnant women with an estimated delivery date between April—July 2020 (n=297) was analyzed to identify trends in the intention to utilize lactation support before the pandemic versus during the pandemic, along with demographic variables. Open-ended question responses were analyzed to find key themes in concerns related to lactation support and infant feeding. Our analysis shows that there was a significant decrease in participants’ intentions to use lactation support during the pandemic compared to before. Our analysis did not show that any demographic variables were associated with intentions to use lactation support during the pandemic. The key themes that emerged within the open-text question responses were maternal and child separation, lack of breastfeeding support, and access to infant formula. Further research is needed to understand the reasoning behind the change in intentions to use lactation support so that breastfeeding is facilitated and encouraged during future emergencies.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2021/CEPS/63
Faculty Mentor(s)
Tishra Beeson and Amy Claridge