Iran Press/Europe: “We know that children are at relatively low risk of COVID-19, but are at high risk of numerous other diseases and conditions that breastfeeding prevents,” Tedros said in a press briefing.
Tedros said that the WHO had carefully investigated the risk of women transmitting the disease onto their child, and found the mother should continue breastfeeding unless she is too ill to continue doing so.
“Based on the available evidence, WHO’s advice is that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risks of transmission of COVID-19,” Tedros said Friday.
Anshu Banerjee, director of WHO’s Department of Reproductive Health and Research, said that only “fragments” of the virus exist in the breast milk, and the live virus has not yet been detected in breast milk.
“So, the risk of transmission from mother to child, so far, has not been established,” Banerjee said.
WHO has posted guidelines for health facilities maintaining necessary services for newborn care during the coronavirus pandemic.
Women are encouraged to still touch their infants and are instructed by the WHO to “hold your newborn skin to skin,” even when positive for coronavirus. The WHO also says that mothers should share a room with their newborns and exercise hygienic practices when breastfeeding and holding their infant, such as washing your hands for 20 seconds.
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