Breastfeeding In Babies For 6 Months To Prevent COVID-19: JIPMER

Breastfeeding during COVID-19: The Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research(JIPMER) has advocated breastfeeding newborn for the first six months in order to prevent COVID-19 among children. Here are other guidelines issued on June 18.

JIPMER stated that lactating mothers should refrain from taking the COVID-19 vaccine, the same has been advised by the Indian Government.

Neonatology chief at Jipmer Adhisivam B, in a set of specific suggestions, said that even if a mother, who has already delivered her child, test SARS CoV-2 positive, the baby should not be separated from her.

It urged mothers and health officials to make sure that newborn babies are breastfed for the first six months even if the mother is SARS CoV-2 positive, as it is usually not transmitted through breast milk. Moreover, the institution said "the baby will receive antibodies against SARS CoV-2 through mother’s milk."

However, while at it, the breastfeeding mother must wear a mask and sanitise herself with soap and water or an approved sanitiser.

While it is not necessary for children below the age of 5-year-old to wear masks, all children including those above the age of five should receive the vaccines mentioned in the national immunisation schedule