Facts behind the myths of breast feeding in the covid times.

1. MYTHS AND FACTS
WBFW 2020
DR.SUKANYAA.S
MBBS,D.C.H,M.D.(PAED),DNB(PAED),MNAMS
CONSULTANT PAEDIATRICIAN
GANGAWOMENANDCHILDCENTRE
COIMBATORE

2. ◦ Breastfeeding, a completely natural process
◦ subject of countless ongoing discussions and debates for decades.
◦ Mother’s milk is the most important nutrient for a child to be consumed at
the infant stage. In fact, the World Health Organisation (WHO)
◦ FIRST VACCINE

4. World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is
a global campaign to raise awareness
and galvanise action on themes
related to breastfeeding.
August 1-7

5. Evolution of the Campaign
◦ WBW is celebrated every 1-7 August in commemoration
of the 1990 Innocenti Declaration.
◦ WBW started in 1992, with annual themes
◦ WBW is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs).
◦ In 2018, a World Health Assembly resolution endorsed
WBW as an important breastfeeding promotion strategy.
120 countries by
UNICEF, WHO

6. WHY

8. THEME 2020

10. warm chain approach of working together across
sectors and levels
common cause with groups working on
environmental issues.
Together, we need to emphasise the link between
breastfeeding and the environment.

13. #1
◦ Babies are born with the reflex to look for their mother’s
breast. However, many mothers need practical support with
positioning their baby for breastfeeding and making sure their
baby is correctly attached to the breast. Breastfeeding takes
time and practice for both mothers and babies. Breastfeeding is
also time intensive, so mothers need space and support at
home and work.Breastfeeding may be easier for a second-time
mother, but is a totally new experience for the first-time
mother. She’s bound to have a lot of anxiety in the first week,
which may pose a few difficulties for her and the baby.
However, she must keep trying and get professional help from
the obstetrician, a paediatrician or certified lactation
consultant.
Easy easy very
easy….. Every
mother and
child adapts
to
breastfeedin
g
instinctively.

14. It is
painful
◦ Many mothers experience discomfort in the first few days after birth when
they are learning to breastfeed. But with the right support with positioning
their baby for breastfeeding and making sure their baby is correctly attached
to the breast, sore nipples can be avoided. If a mother faces breastfeeding
challenges like sore nipples, support from a lactation consultant or other
skilled professional can help them overcome the issue.
◦ Breastfeeding is not supposed to be a painful process if the baby is latching
on well and the mother’s position while feeding her baby is comfortable.
However, during the first few days, women may experience some discomfort
as the mother and baby start getting used to the beautiful bond of
breastfeeding. A woman can always seek professional help from her doctor, if
she develops sore nipples or painful lumps in her breast, which are usually
treated with a few simple remedies.
#2

15. #3
◦ Washing your nipples before breastfeeding isn’t
necessary.
◦ babies are very familiar with their own mother’s
smells and sounds.
◦ The nipples produce a substance that the baby
smells and has ‘good bacteria’ that helps to build
babies’ own healthy immune system for life.
Hygiene &
cleanliness

16. #4
Rooming in
Well fed baby sleeps well
Separation –anxiety
Causes feeding issues
Continues as vicious cycle
You should
separate a
newborn
and mother
to let the
mother rest.

17. ◦ Mothers need to eat a balanced diet.
◦ no need to change food habits.
◦ Babies are exposed to their mothers’ food
preferences from the time they are in the womb.
◦ If a mother perceives that her baby reacts to a
specific food she eats, it is best to consult a specialist.
Non spicy
Only
vegetarian
Bland food
#5

18. ◦ Exercise is healthy.
◦ There is no evidence that it affects the taste of
your milk.
Exercise will
affect the
taste and
quantity of
milk
#6

19. ◦ Almost all mothers produce the right amount of milk for
their babies.
◦ mother’s body adapts to produce enough milk for her
baby
◦ Breastmilk production-
how well the baby is latched
the frequency of breastfeeding
how well the baby is removing milk
◦ A baby who sleeps well, is gaining weight, wetting enough
diapers in a day, is generally receiving enough breast milk
Many
mothers
can’t
produce
enough
milk.
#7

20. #8
◦ Depending on the kind of illness, mothers can
usually continue breastfeeding when they’re sick.
◦ get the right treatment, and to rest, eat and drink
well.
◦ the antibodies your body makes to treat your
disease or illness will pass on to your baby,
building his or her own defences.
Refrain
from
nursing
when ill

21. #9
Commonly used medicines are compatible –
common illness
Inform ur doctor :
take medications at a specific time
Specific dosage, or
an alternative formulation.
Do not take over the counter medications
Must not
take any
medicine

22. #10
◦ Many mothers continue breastfeeding after going back to
work. First, check the policies in your country and your
own workplace.
◦ If you have the right to time and a place to breastfeed
during working hours, you may be able to go home and
breastfeed,
◦ ask a family member or friend to bring your baby to you,
o
◦ Or to express your milk and take it home.
◦ If you don’t have the option to breastfeed during working
hours, look for moments during the day to express your
milk and then feed your baby directly when you are at
home.
Cannot
continue
after
rejoining
work

23. #11
◦ .Fact: First milk is one of the best things we can
give to a newborn. Colostrum helps protect the
child from diseases, as it aids in the development
of the newborn’s immune system. It has a cathartic
effect in that it prompts the excretion of excess
bilirubin from the newborn and decreases the
chances of jaundice [1]. Colostrum is rich in several
essential vitamins (such as vitamin K and A), as well
as antibodies, which are what help the newborn’s
body to fight off commonly occurring infections.
No artificial feed can substitute the first milk, with
all of its natural benefits, and therefore it should
be fed to the child after birth.
Discard
Colostrum

24. #12
Give
water in
addition

25. #13
Traditionally practiced
More harm
Lactation failure
Sugar-
water/
honey :
Feeds
better

26. #14
◦ ! Excessive crying doesn’t mean inadequate milk,
alone. There are several reasons for a baby’s
excessive crying. Fever, ear infection, abdominal
pain, general discomfort, and simply wanting to
be picked up are all reasons for which a baby
could be crying. However, it is recommended to
see a pediatrician if crying is excessive to a point
of concern.
Excessiv
e cry-
inadequa
te breast
milk.

27. #15
It is perfectly okay for lactating women to consume
cold beverages.
It won’t affect the baby as viral infections do not get
transmitted through breast milk.
Cold will
get you
cold!!!

28. #16
◦ No recommendation to allow/deny
◦ Not to exceed 750 mgs per day
◦ 1-2 cups per day allowed if the mother is particular
Avoid
tea,
coffee

29. #17
DEMAND FEEDING
Don’t wake the baby for feeding
Sleepy state the suck- swallow
coordination may not be proper
Simply no mood to suck
More fuzzy and cranky
Feeding
interval:
2-3 hour
interval

30. #18
Formula feeding takes a lot of time to digest
Milk proteins in the powder are not the same as
the mother’s milk
Hence babies sleep lot
Directly fed babies digest the human milk much
faster and hence seem to be awake all the time.
Sleep
good
with
formula
feeding

31. #19
◦ Drinking more water will not lead to increased
milk production
◦ Energises and hydrate the body
◦ Suiting for better milk secretion
More
water
more
milk??

32. #20
◦ Learned by practice
◦ Takes a while to get comfortable
◦ Right information & support
◦ Everyone can successfully feed.
Doesn’t
work for
everyone

33. data are not sufficient to conclude vertical transmission of COVID-19
through breastfeeding.
In infants, the risk of COVID-19 infection is low, the infection is
typically mild or asymptomatic, while the consequences of not
breastfeeding and separation between mother and child can be
significant.
At this point it appears that COVID-19 in infants and children
represents a much lower threat to survival and health than other
infections that breastfeeding is protective against.
The benefits of breastfeeding and nurturing mother-infant interaction
to prevent infection and promote health and development are
especially important when health and other community services are
themselves disrupted or limited.
Covid-19
&
Breast
feeding

34. Adherence to infection prevention and control measures is essential to
prevent contact transmission between COVID-19 suspected or
confirmed mothers and their newborns and young infants.
Based on available evidence, WHO recommendations on the initiation
and continued breastfeeding of infants and young children also apply
to mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.