Every year the world celebrates World Breastfeeding Week from August 1 to August 7 to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of mothers and babies around the world.
This year the theme for the week is “Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility”. The World Health Organization has recommended standard infant feeding guidelines to be adhered to during the Covid-19 pandemic which includes initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding until babies are six months old and continued breastfeeding along with nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods, until age two years and beyond.
Mothers and infants should be supported to remain together and skin-to-skin contact care whether or not they or their infants have suspected, or confirmed Covid-19 virus infection.
When health and other community services are disrupted or limited due to the pandemic the benefits of breastfeeding and nurturing mother-infant interaction to prevent infection and promote health and development are especially important according to WHO.
World Health Organization says that breast milk is the ideal food for infants. It is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses.
Breast milk also provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life. Not just babies, breastfeeding is also beneficial for women, WHO says that women who breastfeed also have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
