EFE.- The Skin-to-skin contact does not increase the risk of contagion of Covid-19 for babies, as confirmed by a study that collects data from 300 mothers with coronavirus from 31 different countries.
The study, promoted by Harvard University, concludes that skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding is the best for babies also in times of Covid-19.
The results of the study, carried out between the months of May and September 2020, have just been published in the journal ‘Breastfeeding Medicine’ and they have the endorsement of the Spanish Ministry of Health.
The Spanish researcher María Teresa Hernández, coordinator of the Lactation Unit of the Doctor Peset University Hospital in Valencia (east) and president of the international BFHI (Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative Network) is the only Spanish signatory of the ‘COVID Mothers Study’.
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The study found no increased risk of Covid-19 infection among babies who performed skin-to-skin for an hour or more after birth, were breastfed in the first hour of life and were allowed to stay close to the mother in the same room during their stay in maternity, compared to babies separated from their mothers and who did not perform these practices.
Furthermore, the rate of successful breastfeeding was 4 times lower among infants who were separated from their mothers, according to health sources.
Likewise, one of every 3 mothers with Covid-19 participants in the study who suffered this separation (the separation occurred in 27.9%) could not resume breastfeeding despite their wishes and trying after being reunited with their baby.
The study shows that separation due to Covid-19 was experienced by eight out of ten women (78%) with anguish and that six out of ten (58%) said they felt very distressed and stressed. This separation had an average duration of between 6 and 7 days.
“The ‘COVID Mothers Study’ reinforces the evidence that el skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding in the first hour, staying in the same room near the mother and direct breastfeeding are safe practices for mothers infected by Covid-19“Affirms María Teresa Hernández.
In fact, he adds, “our results show that separation is associated with harm to the baby and the mother and is unnecessary.”
When the pandemic began in March 2020, the recommendations were contradictory and in many maternity wards, infants and mothers with Covid-19 (or suspected infection) were separated.
“We hope that the results of this study and others that are being published will help to maintain the accompaniment and protect the practices of humanization and breastfeeding support that is so important to perinatal health“Hernández pointed out.
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