According to Women and Child Development Ministry (WCD), mothers who have tested positive for COVID-19 or are suspected to be infected, can and should continue to breastfeed their infants as per guidelines of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It commented that breastfeeding helps to protect a baby even if the mother is infected with the coronavirus. Adding, “coronavirus has not been found in amniotic fluid or breast milk which means that the virus is not being transmitted during pregnancy or through breast milk”. WHO, too, on Tuesday commented that “the risk of COVID-19 infection from breastfeeding is negligible and has never been documented”.
The ministry said in a tweet, “Field functionaries/healthcare providers should reassure and support all mothers to initiate and continue to breastfeed their infants as per the guidelines of WHO and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare – even if they are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19”.
In another tweet, it said, “Wash your hands thoroughly with soap or sanitizer before and after contact with your child. In case of complementary feeding, feed the infant or young child with a cup and wash hands with soap and water before handling cups, bottles, teats etc and limit the number of caregivers feeding the infant”.