HOME ABOUT US CONTACT US ADVERTISE WITH US
Thursday 23rd of March 2023 12:39:06 PM
Loading...
Breaking News
1   Ex-Terrorists Negotiator, Tukur Mamu, Arraigned         2   Naira Scarcity: FG Urged To Save SMEs         3   Polls: ICPC Officers Rescue, Arrest Suspected Vote Buyer In Issele-Uku         4   As NHRC Tells Police To Arrest, Prosecute Electoral Law Violators         5   PDP Wins Seven Assembly Seats Out Of 11 In Bayelsa        
☰

HOME / Column / HEALTHY LIVING / FAMILY ANGLE
Breastfeeding During The COVID-19 Pandemic
Published Jul 05, 2020 IN Column, HEALTHY LIVING, FAMILY ANGLE,
862         0
Please Share:


WITH VICTORIA ODIA

 

The COVID- 19 world pandemic whichis affecting global community, including Nigeria has created untold hardship on human health. With the causes of the pandemic still a mystery to mankind, many homes and families are currently living in ignorance and fear of likelyinfection the virus.. While many families are wallowing in ignorance, the only safe haven is taking heed to the outlined precautionary measures by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Breastfeeding and expectant mothers are not left out of these precautionary and safety steps of taking care they and theirbabies’ health. Breast milk is the best natural as against the artificial (Cow milk) of feeding our babies as it

remainsthe best source of nutrition for babies and protects them against illness. Disruption of breastfeeding can lead to a drop in milk supply, refusal by the infant to take the breastand a decrease in protective immune factors contained in breast milk. But mothers will be understandably worried and asking themselves whether coronavirus can be passed on through breast milk and what they can do to protect themselves and their babies.

Here are some tips for keeping mothers and babies safe during the COVID-19 Era.

1. Continuing breastfeed while taking care with hygiene

So far, the virus has not been found in breast milk and all mothers are advised to continue breastfeeding, while practicing good hygiene during feeding. These include the 3 Ws: Wear a mask during feeding,

Wash hands with soap before and after touching the baby, Wipe and disinfect surfaces regularly.

The main risk for a baby is catching the virus from close contact with the mother or another infected member of the family. If anyone is sick in the household, take extra care to protect your baby by practisingthe threeWs.

Some mothers may choose to wear a mask during feeding as a routine to ensure that their child is fully protected. If a mother suspects that she may have contracted coronavirus, she may wish to express her breast milk and feed the baby using a clean cup or cup and spoon.

2. Take additional hygiene measures and continue to breastfeed if you fall sick

Mothers who get coronavirus shortly before giving birth and begin breastfeeding and those who become infected while breastfeeding will produce immune factors (antibodies) in their milk to protect their baby and enhance the baby’s own immune responses. This means that continuing to breastfeed is the best way to fight the virus and protect your baby.

If a mother does fall ill with symptoms of fever, cough or difficulty breathing, she should seek medical care early, and follow instructions from a health care provider.

Mothers who are well enough to breastfeed should continue to do so, taking additional care with hygiene by practicing the 3 Ws including wearing a mask whenever near to the baby.

3. Use a cup and spoon to feed babies with expressed breast milk when too sick to breastfeed

When mothers are too ill to breastfeed, they should seek immediate medical advice. It may still be possible to express milk and ask a non-infected member of the family to feed the baby using a clean cup or cup and spoon. It will be even more important to follow the 3Ws at all times to keep the baby healthy and safe.

4. Take extra care when formula feeding

Breastfeeding is the best way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of babies. However, there are instances where a mother is unable to breastfeed or where she has decided not to breastfeed. In addition, the widespread marketing of formula milks undermines the confidence of many mothers and encourages them to feed their babies using bottles and formula milks.

In these cases, it is especially important that babies are being fed according to the instructions on the packaging and that extra care is taken with thoroughly washing bottles, teats and any other equipment used. The 3 Ws should be followed at all times.

Read also
COLUMN
11 Ways To Keep Your Teeth Healthy
Mar 23, 2023
As Nigeria’s Judges Get Set To Begin Voting
Mar 23, 2023
INEC Takes The Hand Of Democracy Back
Mar 23, 2023
Alice Was Pursuing IVF But Caught Up With PGT
Mar 23, 2023
Journey To Delta Govt House Culminates Today With One Winner
Mar 23, 2023
Fuel Scarcity: NMDPRA Calls ‘Planned’ PMS Price Hike, A Mere Rumour
Mar 23, 2023
Nigerians Hit By Rent Hike As Vacancies Dwindle
Mar 15, 2023
IWD: Women Cry Out Against Spike In Domestic Violence
Mar 23, 2023
Shell Links Rivers Explosion To Oil Theft , Regrets Loss Of Lives
Mar 08, 2023
NNPCL Attributes Fuel Queues To Movement Restrictions For Elections
Mar 08, 2023
HEALTHY LIVING
11 Ways To Keep Your Teeth Healthy
Mar 23, 2023
Drugs Kill More Nigerians Than Road Accidents –Pharmacist
Mar 23, 2023
UNIZIK Unveils Book On Igbo Apprenticeship Scheme (Igba Boyi)
Feb 23, 2023
NNNGO, Palladium Develop Public Directory, Information System On CSOs
Feb 21, 2023
Health Implications Of Nigeria’s High Female Genital Mutilation Rate
Feb 21, 2023
FAMILY HEALTH: AS 10 ROTARY CLUBS IN ASABA TAKE HEALTH CARE TO COMMUNITIES.
Feb 16, 2023
Breast Cancer: WHO Unveils Roadmap To Save 2.5m Lives
Feb 07, 2023
Family Health: As Rotary Club Of Asaba Takes Health Care To Communities
Feb 07, 2023
First Aid For Common Accidents In The Home
Jan 24, 2023
Cryptic Pregnancy: Medical Practitioner Urges Stiff Sanctions Against Quacks
Jan 12, 2023
FAMILY ANGLE
Financial Matters The In-Thing (III)
Sep 11, 2022
Financial Matters Is An In-Thing (1)
Sep 04, 2022
Five Reasons You Should Ask Fo Help More Often
Feb 07, 2021
How A ‘Total Market Approach’ Reduced Maternal Mortality
Jan 24, 2021
Can Company Employees Date Each Other?
Jan 17, 2021
Who Is To Be Blamed For The Bad Child: Mother Or Father?
Oct 18, 2020
Mother Of Triplets Cries Out To Dame Okowa For Help
Sep 06, 2020
Six Signs Your Guy Really Wants To Marry You
Sep 06, 2020
DIDA Boss Tasks Couples On Marital Values
Sep 04, 2020
Managing Life At Home Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Jul 26, 2020
Comments
Make a comment