According to WHO and UNICEF, all mothers, including mothers suspected of COVID-19, can continue to breastfeed their infants and young children. The strain of corona virus that causes Covid-19 has not been found in breastmilk.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it all kinds of misconceptions. With each milestone achieved towards defeating COVID-19, a new myth targeting a larger population rapidly emerged. Its biggest target became those women who have small children. In this false information it has been claimed that the Covid vaccine endangers fertility, conception and nursing. This statement alone had the potential to affect millions of women and their families. This resulted in a higher number of men registering for the vaccine than women, knowing that Covid does not discriminate on the basis of gender and can target anyone.
During the vaccine’s early stages, data on its safety for pregnant and lactating women were limited, so they were advised to skip doses for the time being. Although, Despite being backed by scientific fact, it increased the society’s hesitation about the vaccine. However, the recent availability of vaccines for women has given rise to discussion on the topic, which perfectly coincides with “August – World Breastfeeding Month”.
Renuka Birgodia and Tara Raghunath Coordinator United Way Mumbai reported that every year, the first week of August is celebrated as World Breastfeeding Week across the world, and the month of August is observed as Breastfeeding Month. The theme for 2021 is “Protecting Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility”. It focuses on the importance of breastfeeding for children and mothers and the responsibility of the community as a whole to contribute to the overall health and well-being of children. There are many benefits of breastfeeding. For example, in mothers, it reduces the risk of breast cancer and makes it easier to differentiate between children.
Its benefits in children are that it helps them to improve their immunity by protecting them from various infections and promotes their cognitive development. Breast milk is a nutrient-rich food for the normal growth and healthy development of babies. It contains antibodies that can enhance the immunity of the baby to fight the infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding within one hour of birth and exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods for 2 years or more thereafter. Advice to keep.
However, for mothers who have had the vaccine, these myths mean that they are unable to accept that it has not negatively affected their baby. This has led to the refusal of vaccination as well as to stop feeding in many cases. This is most publicized in rural India where people have little access to technology and verified information. While Authorized Social Health Activists (ASHA), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives and Anganwadi workers are working tirelessly to break these barriers. Both women and children are at risk of not being able to meet their health and nutritional needs. Science has shown the world that the vaccine poses no risk to the breastfed baby.
According to WHO and UNICEF, all mothers, including mothers suspected of COVID-19, can continue to breastfeed their infants and young children. The strain of corona virus that causes Covid-19 has not been found in breastmilk. According to some studies, it is safe for mothers to breastfeed their baby even during COVID-19 infection with the precautions recommended by doctors.
It is important to promote breastfeeding regardless of the mother’s covid status. According to the studies so far on the Covid-19 vaccine and how the Covid-19 vaccine works, immunization of lactating mothers does not affect their infant. A vaccinated mother’s milk may also contain antibodies, which can help mothers protect their babies from the virus.
1 Take care of hygiene while eating, including wearing a mask or covering your mouth and nose.
2 Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before and after touching a child.
3 Regularly cleaning and disinfecting the surfaces they touch
4 World Breastfeeding Month can act as a catalyst for this new change, considering the link between vaccinating and promoting vaccine curiosity among lactating mothers.
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