Breastfeeding experience and practice during the covid-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

Nkanuka-Makangala, Yolanda

Breastfeeding experience and practice during the covid-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

Thesis / Dissertation

2024

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Faculty

Faculty of Health Sciences

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding is the simplest, safest and most affordable type of infant feeding and critical to child health and survival particularly in countries with a high burden of infectious diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions limited access to health care, breastfeeding information and support, and may have impacted the lived experience of mothers and their knowledge, perceptions and practice of infant feeding. Objective: To explore mothers' experience of pregnancy, breastfeeding and the postnatal period during the Covid 19 pandemic and lockdowns in Cape Town, South Africa Methods: A qualitative, descriptive, case study design was utilised to describe the knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of mothers who breastfed their infants during the pandemic. Ten participants, aged between 23 and 36 years (mean = 28.5 years), were purposively recruited from a hospital's short stay ward during April 2021– June 2021. Semi-structured interviews, using an interview guide of open-ended questions and probes, were conducted and recorded. The interviews were conducted in the mothers preferred language (IsiXhosa, English or Afrikaans). The recorded interviews were transcribed and translated into English for analysis. The data were analysed using thematic analysis to generate themes and sub-themes using NVivo 10 software. Results/findings: Breastfeeding knowledge, perceptions and attitudes were captured in six themes namely: 1. Experience of health care services, 2. Experience of the pregnancy, 3. Breastfeeding Experience, 4. Employment and source of income, 5. Breastfeeding knowledge, 6. Psychosocial support. These themes reflect the stress and anxiety of breastfeeding during lockdown, specific needs for financial support and failures of healthcare and society in supporting caregivers. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic affected breastfeeding mothers differently, influenced by their preceding breastfeeding experience, exposure to infant feeding practices and support or lack thereof. While many mothers struggled with breastfeeding in the face of stressors like isolation, lack of support, conflict with/ loss of loved ones as well as food insecurity, others saw the shutdown restrictions and social distancing as a welcome opportunity to bond with their infants. These mothers used their “unemployment” to increase breastfeeding time with their infants. The study exposed the urgency and importance of strengthening breastfeeding support systems, including protected time for infant care. The lockdown had a paradoxical positive impact, as it protected and promoted breastfeeding while also showcasing the potential of social media platforms for virtual health promotion and breastfeeding support.

Keywords

Breastfeeding

Covid-19 Pandemic

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