Breastfeeding supportive practices in European hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Anne MerewoodRiccardo DavanzoMaetal Haas-KoganGiulia VertecchiCamilla GizziFabio A MoscaLaura BurnhamCorrado MorettiPublished in: The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians (2021)
Our most concerning finding was that 6% of hospitals recommended formula feeding for COVID positive mothers, a measure that was later shown to be potentially harmful, as protection against the virus is transmitted through human milk. It is encouraging to note that a third of hospitals strengthened rooming in measures. Especially given the emergence of the highly transmissible Delta variant, the situation around postnatal care in maternity hospitals requires ongoing monitoring and may require proactive investment to regain pre-COVID era practices.