Prácticas de lactancia materna en mujeres con COVID19 en una unidad de medicina familiar de Mexicali, Baja California.

Abstract

Introduction: Breastfeeding provides benefits for the infant and the mother, the presence of the COVID-19 disease generates fear in the population of contracting the disease or transmitting it, mothers who are breastfeeding and with COVID-19 go to the health service frequently with the question of whether it is safe to breastfeed. It has not been proven that the virus is transmitted through breastfeeding, nor evidence that associates a negative impact. The objective of this study was to describe breastfeeding practices in patients with COVID 19 from a medical unit in Mexicali. Methods: Observational, descriptive and retrospective study, with non-probabilistic sampling, women who were diagnosed with COVID-19, who were breastfeeding at the time of diagnosis and who agreed to participate via electronic survey were invited. Sociodemographic variables and modifications in breastfeeding practices during and after the presence of the disease were analyzed and analysis was performed using descriptive statistics. Results: Of the 49 patients, 16 (33%) decreased or stopped breastfeeding during the COVID 19 disease, the main reason being the fear of contagion of the infant. And in addition, 14 participants (28%) decreased or abandoned breastfeeding after recovery. The main cause of abandonment was fear of contagion from the infant. Conclusions: COVID-19 may motivate changes in breastfeeding practices.