Breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic – a literature review for clinical practice

International Breastfeeding Journal

Hannakaisa Niela-Vilen¹  Penny Reimers²  Welma Lubbe³  Elina Botha⁴ 

[1] Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland;Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa;NuMIQ – Quality in Nursing and Midwifery, North-West University, 11 Hoffman St, Potchefstroom, South Africa;School of Health, Midwifery, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Tampere, Finland;

关键词: COVID-19;    Breastfeeding;    Coronavirus;    mother-infant dyad;    Skin-to-skin contact;    Breast milk expressing;    Mother-infant separation;    Neonatal;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13006-020-00319-3

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting normal life globally, every area of life is touched. The pandemic demands quick action and as new information emerges, reliable synthesises and guidelines for care are urgently needed. Breastfeeding protects mother and child; its health benefits are undisputed and based on evidence. To plan and support breastfeeding within the current pandemic, two areas need to be understood: 1) the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 as it applies to breastfeeding and 2) the protective properties of breastfeeding, including the practice of skin-to-skin care. This review aims to summarise how to manage breastfeeding during COVID-19. The summary was used to create guidelines for healthcare professionals and mothers.MethodsCurrent publications on breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic were reviewed to inform guidelines for clinical practice.ResultsCurrent evidence states that the Coronavirus is not transmitted via breastmilk. Breastfeeding benefits outweigh possible risks during the COVID-19 pandemic and may even protect the infant and mother. General infection control measures should be in place and adhered to very strictly.ConclusionsBreastfeeding should be encouraged, mothers and infant dyads should be cared for together, and skin-to-skin contact ensured throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. If mothers are too ill to breastfeed, they should still be supported to express their milk, and the infant should be fed by a healthy individual. Guidelines, based on this current evidence, were produced and can be distributed to health care facilities where accessible information is needed.

【 授权许可】

CC BY