Breastfeeding In Babies For 6 Months To Prevent COVID-19: JIPMER
JIPMER 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
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.
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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
Furthermore, those children who are infected with SARS CoV-2 may be asymptomatic and for the symptomatic infected children, they might have a fever, cough, cold or loose stools. Both can be isolated at home without the need for hospitalisation, provided they don't have any respiratory diseases.
It is essential for the children to stay hydrated and must be given more fluids such as tender coconut water, rice gruel, and fruit juice in addition to a nutritious diet. Jipmer recommends ORS for loose stools and oral paracetamol for fever.
Jipmer added that while the severity of COVID-19 among children has been far less when compared to adults so far, infections must be prevented. This can be ensured by adults who encourage acts of wearing a mask, hand hygiene, and social distancing even after vaccination against COVID-19.
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