Breastfeeding advice during COVID-19 outbreak

This document is intended to provide technical guidance to members and other health care workers involved with managing breastfeeding of newborns in the era of COVID-19 pandemic. It is not intended to replace clinical judgement in each individual context.
The Paediatric Society of Ghana recommends breast milk as the best feeding option of newborns. We should therefore make every effort to create the enabling environment for mothers to breastfeed successfully.

BREASTFEEDING WHILE ENSURING COVID-19 SAFETY
 Close contact with mother and early, exclusive breastfeeding help a baby thrive
 Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for most infants
 Data available suggest that breastmilk is not likely to be a source of transmission
 Support mother with COVID-19 to breastfeed safely
 Mother with COVID-19 can hold baby skin-to-skin and share a room with the baby

WOMEN WHO WISH TO BREASTFEED SHOULD TAKE THESE PRECAUTIONS
 Practice respiratory hygiene and wear a mask
 Wash hands thoroughly with soap under running water before and after touching the baby

IF A BREAST PUMP IS USED
 The pump should be disassembled and washed thoroughly after each use
 Clean the parts that come into contact with milk with soap and water
 Rinse under running water
 Dry thoroughly and store for re-use

WHEN MOTHER WITH COVID-19 IS TOO ILL TO BREASTFEED
She can be supported to safely provide her baby with breast milk by
 Expressing breastmilk
 Re-lactation (restarting breastfeeding after a gap)
 Wet nursing (another woman breastfeeding or caring for the child)
IMPORTANT: Mother should be encouraged to choose based on what is acceptable to her and the cultural setting

INFANT FEEDING GUIDELINES
 Initiate breastfeeding within 1 hour of the birth
 Continue exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, then introduce adequate and safe complementary foods at
age 6 months
 Continue breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond

http://who.int/nutrition/nutrition-infocus/breastfeeding-advice-during-covid-19-outbreak