BreastFeeding Amid COVID-19

World breastfeeding week, August (1st-7th) 2020, aims to highlight the huge benefits that breastfeeding can bring to the health and welfare of babies and the importance of supporting mothers to breastfeed for as long as they wish. In addition, there is a wider push for maternal health, focusing on good nutrition, poverty reduction and food security.

This year's World Breastfeeding Week slogan is Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet.

If you're a new mum or expecting, it is only natural to have questions about what is safest for your baby during the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Preliminary research by the World Health Organization is overwhelmingly in support of breastfeeding. Skin-to-skin contact and early, exclusive breastfeeding helps your baby to thrive, and there is no reason to discontinue in the wake of this virus. To date, the transmission of active COVID-19 (virus that can cause infection) through breastmilk and breastfeeding has not been detected.

If you are exposed to a viral infection your body naturally makes antibodies to fight it . These are then transferred to your baby through your breastmilk, helping to protect your child from the illness you have been exposed. Read here on WHO breastfeeding guidelines

Here's where to get breastfeeding support in Nairobi

Kenya Association for Breastfeeding

HunySuckle

Breastfeeding Support Program Kenya

This blog run by working mums is a great resource centre

Toto Touch

They offer Prenatal Breastfeeding Lessons, Infant Massage Lessons, Lactation & Breastfeeding Support Services and general baby care guidance.