‘Covid positive moms can breastfeed but with riders’

BHUBANESWAR: The state government has issued an advisory regarding the prevention of Covid-19 in children. It has said lactating mothers can continue to breastfeed even if they test positive for Covid-19. However, they need to take certain precautions to prevent the baby from getting infected.
“The continuation of breastfeeding by Covid-affected mothers and the timely initiation of nutrient-rich age-appropriate complementary feeding in children is to be ensured,” the advisory issued on Saturday read.
Experts said interrupting breastfeeding may impair milk secretion, thereby depriving both the mother and baby of the benefits of continuous breastfeeding. So breastfeeding should continue until the infant attains two years of age.
Underscoring the importance of breastfeeding, paediatrician Jitendra Kumar Panda, “It should be carried on with the necessary precautions. The mother and baby can maintain a safe distance and express breast milk can be fed to the baby through a sanitized container. If there is no caretaker, the baby can stay with the mother.” He added that the baby will not get infected with Covid-19 by taking breast milk. The mother should maintain hygiene and wear mask properly while nursing the baby.
Subrat Kumar Majhi, paediatrician, Apollo Hospitals, said, “There is no contraindication to breastfeeding by a Covid positive mother. But she should take preventive measures like wearing a mask covering both the nose and mouth, along with proper sanitisation.” He, however, added, the only contraindication to breastfeeding is if the mother is very sick and not in a position to breastfeed.
Breastfeeding increases the immunity and protects the baby by passing on protective immunoglobulin to the baby, which is naturally present in breast milk. Even vaccination, which was contraindicated earlier for lactating mothers, is allowed now considering the risk benefit ratio, he explained.
However, Arabinda Mohanty, a city-based paediatrician, said, “Breastfeeding will help the baby fight against infection. Whatever precautions the mother takes, there is always a chance of the baby getting infected.”
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