Continue breastfeeding even if Covid positive, say doctors

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 6

Unlike the pattern followed during the first wave, where newborns were separated from their mothers if the latter was Covid positive, now doctors opine that the mother and kid should not be separated during the pandemic, even if the mother has caught the infection. All babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months, irrespective of Covid status.

Precautions

• Before breastfeeding, wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
• Wear a mask while feeding the baby.
• Wipe and disinfect surfaces around regularly.
• Feed the baby expressed milk if too sick to nurse.

Discussing the same during the ongoing breastfeeding week (July 31-August 6), Dr Rajinder Gulati, member of the Indian Paediatric Association, said Coronavirus was usually not transmitted through breast milk. In contrast, the baby would receive antibodies from the mother.

“After delivery, even if the mother is Covid positive, the baby and mother should not be separated. All babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months and Covid is not transmitted through breast milk,” Dr Gulati said.

The lactating mother should wear a mask while nursing the child. She should also keep her hands clean by frequently washing them with soap and water or using sanitiser, he further added.

Another neonatal expert said it is breast milk that gives immunity to the baby to fight against infection and should be given to the infants after following every precaution.

Dr Ashwani Singhal, Senior Consultant, Department of Neonatology at Sapling Hospital, said breastfeeding the child from birth to one year was beneficial for both mother and the child. A nursing woman is safe from deadly diseases, like breast cancer, while mother’s milk protects the baby from many diseases.