Admitted when breastfeeding: impact and experiences of hospital care

Abstract

Objective: This study analyzes the impact and experiences of hospitalization for any reason on breastfeeding women. Methods: Cross-sectional online survey (November 2019–March 2020). Adults admitted to a Spanish hospital for at least one night, when actively breastfeeding, were included. The questionnaire aimed at assessing breastfeeding, breast complications, and support and perceived health care workers’ attitudes to breastfeeding. Results: Of the 266 included participants, 70 (26%) stopped breastfeeding during hospitalization, and 13 (5%) interrupted it permanently. A total of 24 (10%) participants reported that hospitalization meant problems for later breastfeeding, and 67 (25%) reported experiencing breast complications. The most common negative comment was that the child was too old to be breastfed (median age, 15 months [interquartile range (IQR) 11–25]). Problems for later breastfeeding due to the hospitalization were more likely if breastfeeding was interrupted (odds ratio [OR] 3.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.32–10.5) or breast problems were experienced (OR 4.11, 95% CI 1.51–11.7). Problems were less likely when patients felt encouraged (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.21–0.69) and hospitalized in a surgical inpatient area (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.03–0.65). Conclusions: Hospitalizations can cause breastfeeding and breast problems. Hospital services must update protocols to integrate breastfeeding into usual care.

No funding was secured for this study. The research of An.L. is supported by Primary Care Interventions to Prevent Maternal and Child Chronic Diseases of Perinatal and Development Origin, RD21/0012/0003, Instituto de Salut Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain. The research of J.P. is supported by the grant PID-2021-122954NB-100 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ERDF “Away of making Europe.”

Peer Reviewed

Postprint (author's final draft)