SAN FERNANDO CITY, Aug. 16 (Anne Hazel Flores, PIA-1) - Breastfeeding is still best for babies up to two years of age. While this sounds a cliché, indeed it is a fact.
But what if a mother gets infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019)? Can she still breastfeed her child?
The answer is a big YES.
In a recent episode of the Kapihan sa Ilocos of the Philippine Information Agency Region 1, the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) in the Ilocos reiterated that lactating mothers could give their babies breast milk even if they are infected with COVID-19.
“The virus has not, to date, been detected in the breastmilk of any mother with confirmed or suspected COVID-19,” said DOH-CHD 1 nutrition program manager and nutritionist-dietician Jovita Leny Calaguas.
She said that a mother should continue to breastfeed but has to implement appropriate hygiene measures, including wearing of a medical mask to reduce the possibility of droplets with COVID-19 being spread to her infant.
“While wearing a medical mask, it is important to replace masks as soon as they become damp, dispose them immediately, and remember not to re-use it again and strictly avoid touching the front but untie it from behind,” she added.
Calaguas also said that a mother should wash hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rub especially before touching the baby.
Further, mothers should frequently wash her exposed breast with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds prior to feeding.
Moreover, in cases that mothers will not be able to breastfeed directly, she recommended expressing or pumping of breast milk and human milk donations can be sought as alternatives.
She further suggested that expressed or pumped breast milk should be stored properly and shall be checked for contamination before feeding to their babies.
In closing, Calaguas said, “While we strictly adhere and promote social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the aim of these recommendations on the care and feeding of infants and young children is to improve the immediate and lifelong survival, health and development of newborns and infants.”
As a support to the first 1000 days of a child’s life, several legislations have been enacted relative to breastfeeding such as the Republic Act (RA) 11148 or the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act; RA 11210 or the Expanded Maternity Leave Act; RA 10028 or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act; RA 10821 or the Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act; and the Executive Order 51 or the Philippine Milk Code.
This year’s observance of the Breastfeeding Awareness Month is anchored on the theme: “I-BIDA ang Pagpapasuso Tungo sa Wais at Malusog na Pamayanan!”.
It aims to appeal to the public to protect, promote and support the practice of exclusive breastfeeding of infants from birth up to six months, and continued complementary feeding onwards.
