CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) is pleased to announce the recent publication of a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Implementation of Hospital Practices Supportive of Breastfeeding in the Context of COVID-19 — United States, July 15–August 20, 2020.
This report describes our COVID-19 supplemental survey that assessed current practices and breastfeeding support during the birth hospitalization among 1,344 hospitals in the United States that had previously completed CDC’s 2018 Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) survey. This survey found hospitals’ implementation of infection prevention and control measures sometimes conflict with evidence-based maternity care to support breastfeeding. The report emphasizes the importance of balancing infection prevention and control measures with evidence-based care. Additional post-discharge breastfeeding support and follow-up care to ensure the well-being of the mother and her newborn may be needed.
Additional resources about breastfeeding during COVID-19:
• Evaluation and Management Considerations for Neonates at Risk for COVID-19
• Care for Breastfeeding Women