Table 5.

Results from the SWOT^* analysis

Strengths	Follow-up of the World Breastfeeding Week Recommendations to keep breastfeeding during the pandemic Mexican Ministry of Health’s efforts to promote breastfeeding during the pandemic Comments about the importance of breastfeeding from Mexican Ministry of Health’s and UNICEF’s experts
Weaknesses	Lack of female representation in decision-making at the policy level and in breastfeeding events Lack of meaningful public policies to protect breastfeeding Separation of mother-infant dyads during the birth hospitalization period during the COVID-19 pandemic
Opportunities	UN agencies’ general nutrition recommendations during the pandemic, and breastfeeding highlighted as a measure to combat food vulnerability and insecurity New Cooperation Program between UNICEF Mexico and the Mexican government for the 2020–2025 period, where breastfeeding protection and promotion can be incorporated Non-governmental organizations’ demands to regulate breast milk substitute donations during the pandemic promoted by pharmacies and BMS companies to the general public
Threats	Increase of marketing of breast milk substitutes during the pandemic Work inequities during lockdown measures (i.e. women taking a disproportionate role in caring for children) Increasing C-section rates, which are associated with reduced breastfeeding Influence of medical doctors on women’s decisions not to breastfeed

^*SWOT refers to strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats