As the world marks world breastfeeding week, the World Health Organization now implores mothers to continue breastfeeding even if contracted with COVID-19. While addressing a news conference World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the risk of infection.
“WHO recommends that mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should be encouraged the same as all other mothers to initiate or continue breastfeeding,”
The theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2020 is “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize assured South Africans on Tuesday that the COVID-19 virus has not been found in breastmilk.
Research evidence has shown that the virus is not transmitted through breastmilk or by giving breastmilk that has been expressed from a mother who is confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19, Mkhize said in a statement commemorating the World Breastfeeding Week which started on August 1.
“This year we continue to commemorate World Breastfeeding Week under the difficult challenge in dealing with the COVID-19 global pandemic,” said Mkhize.
He said there has been growing concern over the possible transmission of the COVID-19 virus through breastfeeding.
Meanwhile South Africa’s Health Minister Zweli Mkhize assured South Africans on Tuesday that the COVID-19 virus has not been found in breastmilk.
Research evidence has shown that the virus is not transmitted through breastmilk or by giving breastmilk that has been expressed from a mother who is confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19, Mkhize said in a statement commemorating the World Breastfeeding Week which started on August 1.
“This year we continue to commemorate World Breastfeeding Week under the difficult challenge in dealing with the COVID-19 global pandemic,” said Mkhize.
He said there has been growing concern over the possible transmission of the COVID-19 virus through breastfeeding
In line with this theme, WHO and UNICEF are calling on governments to protect and promote women’s access to skilled breastfeeding counselling, a critical component of breastfeeding support.
