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.

Faculty Mentor(s)

Tishra Beeson and Amy Claridge

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/

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May 16th, 12:00 PM May 22nd, 12:00 PM

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