Trends in 1-Month Breastfeeding Before, During, and After the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Retrospective Single-Center Study in Japan

Background/Objectives: Breastfeeding confers important health benefits for mothers and children. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted childcare practices and maternal behaviors, with some effects persisting beyond the acute phase. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breastfeeding. Methods: This retrospective single-center study included full-term infants born at Tokyo Metropolitan Toshima Hospital between January 2019 and January 2024. Data was routinely collected. The participants were categorized into those born before, during, and after the pandemic. The rates of exclusive breastfeeding and volume of formula milk at 1-month health checkups were compared across the groups using the chi-square test and regression analysis. Results: A total of 812 (30.1%), 1602 (61.0%), and 214 (8.1%) infants born before, during, and after the pandemic, respectively, were analyzed. The rates of exclusive breastfeeding differed significantly among the groups, (42.2%, 28.1%, and 22.9%, respectively). Concurrently, formula milk consumption increased during the study period, with significant differences observed between those born before and during the pandemic and between those born before and after the pandemic. Conclusions: Breastfeeding rate declined during the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect persisted after the pandemic. We speculate this trend may be attributed to the loss of educational opportunities and reduced interactions among mothers. Another contributing factor was the shift in the sources of information for maternal decision-making. After the pandemic, reliance on social media as a primary source of guidance increased; however, much of this information was less evidence-based and potentially inaccurate. Healthcare providers should recognize these challenges and prepare for future pandemics.