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Breastfeeding Experience among Mothers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Hanan Badr

    (Maternity and Child Department, Faculty of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia)

  • Salmah Alghamdi

    (Maternity and Child Department, Faculty of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

When health experts declared COVID-19 to be a global pandemic, they recognized the virus as a major environmental factor that could affect the practice of breastfeeding. A few studies focused on the effect of COVID-19 on mothers who gave birth during the pandemic. The purpose of this study is to explore the experience of Saudi Arabian breastfeeding mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used a descriptive phenomenology qualitative design and a convenience sample of 18 mothers who breastfed their children beginning in March 2020. Data were collected through semi-structured, open-ended phone interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The mothers were between 27 and 36 years old, and most of them had previous breastfeeding experience. Four main themes emerged regarding breastfeeding experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: breastfeeding experience (positive and negative), support, facilitators, and challenges. Most mothers felt their experience with breastfeeding during the pandemic encouraged them to continue. It is important to reassure and educate breastfeeding mothers about the nature of COVID-19 and its mode of transmission. The findings from this study lay the foundation for future research to support the practice of breastfeeding and overcome the challenges that arose during the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Hanan Badr & Salmah Alghamdi, 2022. "Breastfeeding Experience among Mothers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-10, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:8:p:4535-:d:790195
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chanodom Piankusol & Wachiranun Sirikul & Krongporn Ongprasert & Penprapa Siviroj, 2021. "Factors Affecting Breastfeeding Practices under Lockdown during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-11, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sofia Colaceci & Gloria Anderson & Veronica Ricciuto & Denise Montinaro & Giorgia Alazraki & Desirée Mena-Tudela, 2022. "Experiences of Birth during COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy and Spain: A Thematic Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-12, June.

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