The COVID-19 pandemic and breastfeeding

The COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges for the practice and support of breastfeeding. Despite the importance of mother-infant proximity, discordant national and international guidance resulted in unnecessary separation of mothers and infants, putting infants at far greater risk than they would have been if they had remained with their mothers. Lockdowns and reduced movement had mixed effects. They limited provision of face-to-face breastfeeding support, which made breastfeeding more challenging for some mothers, but also allowed uninterrupted mother-infant proximity, which facilitated breastfeeding. In some settings, communication technologies helped to maintain breastfeeding counselling. Commercial milk formula companies seized the opportunity to undermine breastfeeding and promote commercial milk formula. The COVID-19 pandemic shone a light on the importance of consistent guidance, supporting mother-infant proximity, maintaining breastfeeding counselling, and regulating promotion of breastmilk substitutes.