Breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic
Breastfeeding protects newborns from getting sick and also helps protect them throughout their infancy and childhood. Breastfeeding is particularly effective against infectious diseases because it strengthens the immune system by directly transferring antibodies from the mother. As with all confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases, mothers with any symptoms who are breastfeeding or practicing skin-to-skin contact should take precautions.
• Practice respiratory hygiene, including during feeding. If you have respiratory symptoms such as being short of breath, use a medical mask when near your child.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap or sanitiser before and after contact with your child.
• Routinely clean and disinfect any surfaces you touch.
• If you are severely ill with COVID-19 or suffer from other complications that prevent you from caring for your infant or continuing direct breastfeeding, express milk to safely provide breastmilk to your infant.
• If you are too unwell to breastfeed or express breastmilk, you should explore the possibility of relactation (restarting breastfeeding after a gap), wet nursing (another woman breastfeeding or caring for your child), or using donor human milk. Which approach to use will depend on cultural context, acceptability to you, and service availability.
Breastfeeding has many important health benefits for babies and mothers, even during the pandemic. Talk with your paediatrician about how to keep your baby healthy and what resources might be available in your community to help you.
Source: World Health Organisation (WHO)
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