admin
ALTHOUGH the immune systems of children and infants are resilient against contracting the coronavirus, mothers who are exposed to the virus on a daily basis fear transmitting it to their new-born babies through breastfeeding.
Doctors and experts agree that breast milk is the best source of nutrition for most infants. Breastfeeding also builds the baby’s immune system, protecting them against illness.
However, the coronavirus has brought new fears for mothers and their new-borns.
Basetsana Moshoeshoe, a 23-year old mother from Roodepoort in Gauteng, recently gave birth to her answered prayer, Cebolenkosi. Even as she gave the baby a name that means “God’s idea” a pregnancy during the pandemic tested her.
“I had just been fired from my job because the company I was working for closed down due to the coronavirus. I was also scared because I knew that my pregnancy meant I was at high risk of contracting the virus and other diseases because my immune system was weaker. I couldn’t go out to restaurants or even have a maternity photo-shoot. I stayed indoors and couldn’t be as excited as I should have been,” she said.
Moshoeshoe said while she continues to breastfeed, she is practising all the safety regulations to protect her and Cebolenkosi from the virus.
“We don’t just let anyone into our house and into our space because most people may not be as careful as I am and we don’t know who they interact with. I am still worried because the pandemic isn’t over and contracting the virus still means that I can infect my baby, especially while I am breastfeeding,” Moshoeshoe said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that mothers with suspected or confirmed cases of Covid-19 should initiate and continue to breastfeed.
In a scientific brief the WHO said breastfeeding a new-born for the first six months of life and early and uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact are recommended as two of the most important factors for an infant to thrive.
A recent study by American Society for Microbiology looked at whether mother-to-infant transmission of Covid-19 is possible through breastfeeding.
To conduct the study, the researcher analysed 37 milk sample from 18 women diagnosed with Covid-19. The results showed that no SARS-CoV-2 was detected, but the antibodies were able to neutralise the virus detected.
This means that the research showed that breastfeeding mothers do not transfer the coronavirus through their milk.
Murray Hewlett, CEO of medical insurance company Affinity Health, adds that there is research evidence that shows that the virus is not found in breast milk, nor is it transmitted through breast milk from a mother who is confirmed or suspected to have Covid-19 to her baby.
“Because the coronavirus is still fairly new, guidance from experts continues to change. But, so far, it’s safe to breastfeed your baby.
“However, we know that Covid-19 is spread through direct, indirect, or close contact with infected people through infected secretions such as saliva and respiratory droplets. We also know that you can pass the virus on before you get symptoms but are carrying it.
“That means that if mum has the virus, she can transmit it to her baby through close contact, and vice versa,” he said.
Good hygiene practices like routinely disinfecting and cleaning surfaces and baby items such as bottles and breast pumps, washing hands frequently and wearing masks will limit the chances of infecting your baby or yourself, Affinity Health recommends.
New moms who test positive for Covid-19, are advised to remain isolated with their babies at home for 14 days.
During the initial vaccine trials, pregnant women were not included due to limited data on the safety of Covid-19 vaccines for expecting women. Recently, however, professionals in the American Journal of Obstetrics Gynaecology Health found that the vaccines should not pose a risk to pregnant women.
“Mothers who become infected while breastfeeding produce immune antibodies in their milk to protect their baby and improve the baby’s own immune system. This means that breastfeed is the best way to protect your baby from the virus,” said the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef). — health-e.org.za
Online Reporter