Paediatricians’ perspectives regarding breastfeeding during the Covid-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: Covid-19 pandemic has raised queries regarding implications for breastfeeding (BF). Data are limited and recommendations for initial days after birth differ. Parents count on paediatricians for optimal information about feeding their infants, especially when the mother is infected.

Objectives: To estimate the knowledge of paediatricians about BF in suspected or confirmed maternal cases of Covid-19, its association with demographic variables, and participants’ opinions about factors influencing their guidance to parents regarding infant nutrition in Covid-19 infected mothers.

Method: This was a prospective cross-sectional study based on an online questionnaire administered to paediatricians in Uttar Pradesh, India, from February to March 2021. A total of 389 paediatricians participated. Knowledge questions were based on the World Health Organization guidance on BF for Covid-19.

Results: Among the 389 participants, 44.5% had adequate knowledge, 38.3% had average knowledge, and 17.2% had inadequate knowledge; 96.4% paediatricians preferred mothers’ milk for infants with Covid-19 infected mothers. Fear of transmission of infection to infant was the major restraint, while the low risk of transmission to the infant if infection prevention and control practices were followed was the most useful factor perceived while counselling an infected mother for BF.

Conclusions: Knowledge of paediatricians about BF in suspected or confirmed maternal cases of Covid-19 was adequate in 44.5%, average in 38.3% and inadequate in 17.2%. Majority (96.4%) of paediatricians favoured BF in maternal Covid-19 cases.

Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2022; 51(4): 525-534