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![]() In addition, records were kept of medications administered due to chronic diseases or complications occurred during the 6-month follow-up. The third part included information on maternal medication intake during hospitalization. The second part provided information on the medical, maternity and lactation history (parity, mode of delivery, gestational age, newborn’s sex and birth weight, breastfeeding duration of a previous child, 6-month follow-up of breastfeeding, breastfeeding duration, reason for breastfeeding cessation, maternal body mass index prior to pregnancy and delivery). The questionnaire’s first part addressed demographic and socioeconomic characteristics (maternal age, nationality, marital and employment status, educational level, type of hospital, area of residence). Alternative breastfeeding support helplines for the safety of medicines during lactation include the breastfeeding department of the “breastfeeding-friendly” public hospital “Helena Venizelou”. “Alkyoni” operates a nationwide telephone line since 2013 which is staffed by experienced midwives and pediatricians. In Greece, there is a national program named “Alkyoni” implemented by the Directorate of Social and Developmental Pediatrics of the Institute of Child Health, which aims at raising public awareness, supporting breastfeeding mothers and informing HPs. Most European countries have established centralized phone-based qualified medical information on the potential toxicity of medications, where healthcare personnel and mothers can obtain information around the clock. The promotion of breastfeeding depends on the implementation of national policies and recommendations at all levels of the health and social system to establish breastfeeding as the normal nutrition for infants and children. Since the majority of medicines have not been linked to adverse effects when used during lactation, and that even a temporary interruption of breastfeeding can create difficulties for the mother–child dyad, lactating women should be enlightened about reliable resources which refer to medicines during lactation and, finally, supported to share decision-making with their physician. In such scenarios, the decision-making process for medication use during lactation should be on the basis of healthcare professionals’ (HPs) current knowledge and expertise in providing information hinged on scientific research about the breastfeeding benefits and the drug exposure risks via breast milk for the nursing child. Such barriers during lactation may be conditions requiring maternal pharmacological treatment, including chronic or acute diseases and emergency medical conditions that demand diagnostic imaging or even a surgical procedure. However, in their efforts to establish and sustain breastfeeding, mothers may encounter many barriers with significant implications for their breastfeeding goals. Most women are aware that exclusive and prolonged breastfeeding is a key element for optimal maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Maternal and lactation consultancy should be strictly related to evidence-based approaches. ![]() The COVID-19 restrictions protected women from ceasing breastfeeding due to medication intake. Educational level, employment at six months postpartum, mode of delivery, previous breastfeeding experience, medication intake for chronic diseases, physician’s recommendation and smoking before pregnancy were factors significantly correlated with breastfeeding discontinuation due to medication intake. The compatibility of medicines with breastfeeding was examined according to the Lactmed and Hale classification systems, which showed discrepancy in 8 out of 114 medicines used, while 17.5% and 13.2% of the medicines, respectively, were not classified. Unfortunately, 68.4% ( n = 39/57) of the participants ceased breastfeeding due to erroneous professional advice. Results revealed that from the 57 cases of breastfeeding cessation due to medication intake, only 10.5% received evidence-based counseling from a physician. Information was gathered prospectively with an organized questionnaire through interview during hospitalization and through telephone at 1, 3 and 6 months postpartum. ![]() Throughout 2020, 847 women were recruited from five healthcare institutions. We aimed to investigate maternal medication intake as a factor for non-initiation and cessation of breastfeeding and the effect of professional counseling on maternal decision-making. Pharmacological treatment may become a barrier for a mother’s breastfeeding goals.
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