Breast Feeding Considered Safe During COVID pandemic, say experts

The current Covid-19 pandemic has raised concerns about the safety of breastfeeding for both mother and baby. With World Breastfeeding Week running from August 1-7, experts told The Indian Express that organizations such as WHO, UNICEF, the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, and other leading health agencies have encouraged mothers with Covid-19 suspected or confirmed to start or continue breastfeeding.

Dr. Ketan Bharadva, president of the Association of Human Milk Banks (India) and president of the Infant and Young Child Feeding Chapter of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, said that breastfeeding is considered safe during Covid-19. “This advice is recommended by most major health organs,” he said.

These recommendations are based on weighing the risks against the benefits of any limited scientific evidence available in the specific context of the SARS COV-2 virus, and based on observations of other epidemics in the past and the established benefits of breast milk, he said. Dr. Bharadva,

For safety, the mother should take standard hygiene precautions, such as wearing a mask and disinfection during breastfeeding, hygiene of coughs and sneezes, and disinfection of surfaces to prevent respiratory and fomite-transmitted transmission, the expert said.

“Covid-19 has not yet been found to be passed from mother to child through breast milk,” said Dr. Bharadva, adding that the milk supply from human milk banks is safe during the pandemic. “For babies whose breast milk may not be available for whatever reason, the next best option is pasteurized donated human milk from a scientifically operated standard milk bank. There is compelling evidence in scientific journals that the coronavirus is killed by pasteurizing milk with the Holder Method. Standard milk banks routinely use the Holder Method, “said Dr. Bharadva.

According to Sayali Sathe, lactation counselor and the bank responsible for human milk nectar at KEM Hospital, this year, the theme is “Supporting breastfeeding for a healthier planet.” “Babies who receive foods other than breast milk are known to have less immunity, more disease and require more hospitalizations,” said Sathe, adding that breastfeeding during the first six months of life is important for growth and health. baby optimum.

Amrita Desai, deputy director of breastfeeding, at Cloudnine Hospital, said mothers should be counseled that the benefits of breastfeeding substantially outweigh the potential risks of transmission.