What COVID and the Formula Shortage Taught Us About Breastfeeding Support with Dr. Elizabeth Kar

In this conversation, Dr. Elizabeth Kar discusses her research on breastfeeding promotion and the challenges faced by breastfeeding families during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the impact of reduced lactation support and the infant formula shortage. She emphasizes the importance of lactation consultants and community support in successful breastfeeding, critiques the marketing strategies of formula companies, and calls for better policies to protect and promote breastfeeding. In this conversation, Margaret Saltysiak and Elizabeth Kar discuss the complexities surrounding infant feeding choices, particularly the challenges of breastfeeding and formula feeding. They highlight the fragility of the infant feeding infrastructure in the U.S., the lessons learned from the pandemic regarding breastfeeding support, and the critical need for paid family leave to support new parents. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of addressing the needs of vulnerable populations and ensuring equitable access to breastfeeding support and resources. **Chapters** 00:00 Introduction to Elizabeth Kar and Her Work 03:03 Exploring the Triple Threat to Breastfeeding Families 06:00 The Impact of COVID-19 on Lactation Support 09:02 The Role of Lactation Consultants 11:59 The Formula Shortage and Its Effects 14:58 The Marketing Influence of Formula Companies 18:06 The Need for Better Infant Feeding Policies 21:43 The Challenges of Infant Feeding Choices 24:15 Fragility of Infant Feeding Infrastructure 27:20 Lessons from the Pandemic on Breastfeeding Support 30:25 The Need for Paid Family Leave 33:48 Addressing Vulnerable Populations in Breastfeeding Support **Guest** Elizabeth Kar, RDN, PhD, IBCLC Triple Threat or Mere Inconvenience? Exploring the Effect of COVID-19 Precautions, Lack of Access to Lactation Care, and the Infant Formula Shortage on Breastfeeding Behavior of Parents in the Midwest of the United States **Connect with Margaret** 📬 Email: hello@margaretsalty.com 📸 Instagram: @margaretsalty 📘 Facebook: Margaret Salty Music by: The Magnifiers – *My Time Traveling Machine*