Breastfeeding, Breastmilk Feeding and Formula Feeding Within the Closed, Temporary Accommodation of Australia's COVID-19 Quarantine.

During 2021-2022, families with infants and young children were among the > 450,000 people who spent 2 weeks in Australia's institutional COVID-19 quarantine. Given pre-existing lack of emergency planning for children, there were concerns about whether parents would be adequately supported in this temporary accommodation. This paper reports on research considering the breastfeeding, breastmilk feeding and formula feeding of infants and young children in Australia's COVID-19 quarantine. Two-hundred and sixteen parents who quarantined with children aged 0-36 months completed an online survey with closed- and open-ended questions. One hundred and twenty-seven children were being fed breastmilk (103) and/or infant formula (40) when entering quarantine. Breastfeeding, formula feeding and breastmilk feeding challenges were reported. Breastfeeding mothers were concerned about frequent feeding and stress reducing milk supply. Parents who were formula feeding commonly lacked appropriate resources with half having to wash feeding bottles in bathrooms that also contained a toilet. Mothers who were breastmilk feeding experienced the challenges associated with both breastfeeding and formula feeding. On-site staff and health providers did not always respond to requests for help with appropriate assistance, and parents were rarely referred to health or parenting helplines. Parental capacity to follow the national infant feeding guidelines was commonly compromised by the quarantine environment, and child health was placed at risk. This study has implications for infant feeding resourcing and support in other types of temporary accommodation, including those related to natural disasters, family violence, or homelessness or any closed environment, such as prisons or immigration detention. Infant feeding support requirements should be included in emergency planning and standards developed for temporary accommodation for families.