Coronavirus Can’t Be Transmitted Through Breastmilk – WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has come out to say that COVID-19 virus has not been detected in breastmilk till now, so it cannot be transmitted through breastmilk.

WHO recently revealed that breastfeeding reduces infant mortality and provides numerous lifelong health advantages.

According to the Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, it is important for mothers with COVID-19 to continue to breastfeed their babies, because that will not affect the baby in any way and he or she will keep growing normally.

He added that mothers and their infants should be helped to remain together while rooming-in throughout the day and night and to practice skin-to-skin contact.

His words, “Breastfeeding mothers can breastfeed their babies even if they are confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19.”

“As we have seen again and again, standard public health measures are often the most effective and we are reiterating the importance of breastfeeding, which has lifesaving benefits for babies and families.

“At the time of COVID-19, especially when there is disruption to health services, WHO recommends that mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should be encouraged, the same as all other mothers, to initiate or continue to breastfeed.

“Mothers should be counselled that the many benefits of breastfeeding for newborn babies and children substantially outweigh the potential risks for COVID-19 infection.

“Mother and infant should be helped to remain together while rooming-in throughout the day and night and to practise skin-to-skin contact.

“They should remain together to practice skin-to-skin contact including kangaroo mothercare, especially immediately after birth and during establishment of breastfeeding, whether they or their infants have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.”