Mother's Experience with COVID-19 in Breastfeeding: A Phenomenological Study

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted mothers’ and children's access to essential health services. Concerns about the transmission of COVID-19 to infants resulted in strict procedures, which then caused delays in initial contact and breastfeeding. This delay then impacted the well-being of mothers and babies. PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the experience of mothers with COVID-19 in breastfeeding. This study was qualitative research with a phenomenological approach. METHODS: Participants were mothers with a confirmed history of COVID-19 during the breastfeeding period either in 2020, 2021, or 2022. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 21 mothers. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three themes were obtained: breastfeeding during the mother was confirmed COVID-19, changes in the mother's condition, and social support received by the mother. Based on this theme, it can be seen that mothers are temporarily separated from their newborns, which causes breastfeeding difficulties. Mothers confirmed to have COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021 appear to have more significant concerns about transmitting COVID-19, as indicated by the mother's decision not to breastfeed and to undergo separate isolation with the baby. CONCLUSION: Mothers need support to continue to breastfeed. The benefits obtained from breastfeeding are far more significant than efforts to prevent transmission by separating mother and baby, so mothers should be encouraged to continue breastfeeding.