Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Infant Feeding Practices in the U.S.: Food Insecurity, Supply Shortages, and Deleterious Feeding Practices

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically increased food insecurity among U.S. households, however, little is known about how infants, who rely primarily on human milk and/or infant formula, were impacted. We conducted an online survey with U.S. caregivers of infants (<2 years) (N=319) to assess how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted breastfeeding, formula-feeding, and household ability to obtain infant-feeding supplies and lactation support (68% mothers; 66% white; 8% living in poverty). Results suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic had a greater negative impact on formula-feeding families, largely due to formula shortages and financial strain. We found 31% of formula-feeding families indicated they experienced various challenges to obtaining formula, citing the following top three reasons: formula was sold out (20%), had to travel to multiple stores (21%), or too expensive (8%). In response, 33% of formula-feeding families reported resorting to potentially harmful feeding practices such as diluting formula with extra water (12%) or cereal (10%), preparing smaller bottles (8%), or feeding left-over/expired formula (11%). Only 15% of breastfeeding families reported feeding difficulties directly as a result of the pandemic—15% were reluctant to obtain lactation support and 9% weaned early. In fact, 51% of breastfeeding families reported increased provision of human milk to infants due to perceived benefits for the infant’s immune system (37%), ability to work remotely/stay home (31%), or concerns about money (8%) or formula shortages (8%). To protect infants from malnutrition in future crises, our results underscore the need for policies to support breastfeeding families and ensure equitable access to infant formula.