Dimiao, Bohol – During the last quarter of the year 2019, a disease caused by a certain species of coronavirus started to infect the people of Wuhan, China. It then quickly spread throughout the neighboring countries until eventually, it became a pandemic affecting everybody no matter what age, gender, or race a person belongs to. And it became a global problem that we continue to face even until the present.
Nutrition then plays a very important role especially with the current situation that we are facing right now. Nutrition helps in building up immunity of the body.
Mothers might think that they should stop breastfeeding their children because they might transmit the COVID-19 virus to her child. Even if a mother contracts the COVID-19 virus or even shows the symptoms, it is still important that she should continue breastfeeding her child. According to UNICEF, there is no evidence to date that the COVID-19 virus is transmitted through breastfeeding. Even more she should breastfeed her baby because breastmilk provides antibodies that give babies everywhere a healthy boost and protect them against many infections. Breastfeeding significantly reduces the risk of death in newborns and young infants, provides lifelong health benefits for children, and improves the health of mothers as well.
However, it is recommended that COVID-19 positive moms shall follow proper health protocols when breastfeeding to protect her baby. Mothers must follow the 3 Ws in breastfeeding: wear a mask during the whole breastfeeding session, wash their hands before starting breastfeeding and wipe every surface that they touch.
Breastfeeding is doubly important during emergencies and calamities since it is the easiest way to feed a child especially when there is no or limited access to food and water. Breastmilk contains antibodies and nutrients that help in developing the immunity of the child. It acts as the baby’s first vaccine especially during these times of pandemic. Even more she should breastfeed her baby because breastmilk provides antibodies that give babies everywhere a healthy boost and protect them against many infections. Breastfeeding significantly reduces the risk of death in newborns and young infants, provides lifelong health benefits for children, and improves the health of mothers as well.
It is important that newborn infants should be exclusively breastfed up to six months of age and started to be given complementary feeding on the 6th month with continued breastfeeding up to two years of age and beyond.
Breastfeeding is not easy and the burden rests on the mother. Breastfeeding requires the commitment and support of the whole family especially the husband. Healthcare workers shall encourage mothers to breastfeed their infants by teaching them and their families on the whys and how’s of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a highly beneficial public health intervention for mothers and children on the First 1000 days. Indeed, as the 2021 the National Breastfeeding Awareness Month theme, “Tulong-Tulong sa Pagpapasuso sa First 1000 Days!", it is important that everybody must work together to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding especially during these times of health and economic crisis. // ND II, Martin John C. Cartin
