The Covid has been in the headlines for many months and scientists have not finished learning about it. It is therefore completely legitimate to ask questions when you are infected with the virus.
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Pregnant and breastfeeding women are among those who question their health and that of their child. The recurring question concerns the mode of transmission of the disease. According to Info coronavirus, the government site, the Covid-19 virus is mainly transmitted by coughing, sneezing or during close contact. The secretions are infected with the virus. Contaminated objects, hands are also vectors of transmission. Finally, sharing a confined space with a person infected with the virus is another way of transmitting it. According to the WHO, there is no proven transmission of Covid through breast milk. Breastfeeding is therefore recommended for the infected mother. Obviously, sanitary measures must be taken and there are exceptions.
Breastfeeding with Covid-19
Breastfeeding with Covid-19 is advised, whenever possible. Covid-19 can be accompanied by significant symptoms such as fever, cough or headache. This list is not exhaustive. In the most severe cases, the disease can cause breathing problems. If the child’s mother cannot breastfeed due to her health condition, she can express her milk and ask someone else to give it to her baby. If this is not possible, due to fatigue, other solutions should be considered. For those who have the strength to breastfeed their child, certain precautions must be taken. The mother must wear the mask at all times and wash her hands well before breastfeeding.
Covid-19, breastfeeding and risks for the baby
When the mother has Covid-19, breastfeeding, in itself, presents no risk for the child. On the other hand, the mother can transmit the virus to her child as is the case with other members of her household. It is therefore important to be vigilant and to let someone else take care of the baby as much as possible during the recovery period. In particular, it is necessary to avoid, as far as possible, spending too much time in the child’s room. It is necessary to privilege the other rooms of the house and to ventilate them regularly to avoid the risk of transmission. You must also wear a medical mask when moving around the house and wash your hands often.
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