Covid -19: How To Breastfeed Your Baby If You’re Covid Positive
COVID-19 cases are increasing drastically and the vaccine is still not available to the masses. If you’re a COVID positive new mother then you have to take as many precautions as you can because you have to breastfeed your newborn baby.
(Get in touch with the best gynaecologist in Kolkata for clearing queries related to gynaecological health.)
According to WHO (World Health Organization), mothers can breastfeed their babies even if they have tested positive for COVID-19. We still don’t have enough evidence to point out that Coronavirus can be transmitted through breastmilk. As breastmilk is extremely important for the newborn baby’s health and development, we encourage all new mothers to breastfeed their little ones cautiously and by keeping note of the things mentioned below:
Wear a mask while breastfeeding
Never forget to wear a mask or cloth covering before breastfeeding your baby. Wear a proper face mask that covers your nose and mouth perfectly. You can also wear a face shield over your mask.
Wash your hands before and after holding your baby
Wash your hands right before and after holding your baby. Also, use a hand sanitizer once you’ve washed your hands with soap and water.
Use a breast pump
Using a breast pump is an excellent choice now as it will require contactless breastfeeding. Ensure that the breast pump is well-sanitized after each use. When you’re using a breast pump, you can ask someone else to hygienically feed your baby.
Avoid close contact with the baby
Do not let emotions drive you. Avoid touching and being in close contact with your baby while breastfeeding.
Take good care of yourself and we hope you defeat Corona soon. For any health-related supervision, visit ILS Hospitals, the best hospital in Kolkata and Agartala.
Breastfeeding Tips for Every New Mother
As Robert S. Mendelsohn rightly said, “Mother’s milk, time-tested for millions of years, is the best nutrient for babies because it is nature’s perfect food.”
If you are a mother, you can certainly relate to it. However, breastfeeding is one extremely challenging job. Many gynaecologists and obstetricians encounter new, inexperienced mother panicking due to not being able to nurse properly. So, today we are offering some tips for new mothers and moms-to-be to have a somewhat more comfortable nursing time.
- Position yourself comfortably. If you are not comfortable, neither will be your baby.
- There is no perfect rule, so choose what works best for you. Experiment and pick between couch, bed and rocking chair.
- Place as many pillows you need under back, lap or legs for support and comfort.
- Hold and cradle your baby on the same side as the breast you want to nurse with. Use a pillow for support, if needed.
- You have an overactive ‘super baby’, you can hold her lower arm under your arm to mitigate the possibility of interference.
- Cup your breast and let your baby latch onto it gently. It might take several attempts before the baby stay latched on, so be patient.
- Once the baby starts feeding, hold her close to support and encourage the nursing.
- After the baby is done, don’t pull out your nipple instantly, as it may cause injury to your nipples. Instead, insert a finger in her mouth to break off the contact gently.
Ideally, each session of breastfeeding last only several minutes, but quite frequently, as your baby’s stomach is small and digestion is quite fast. Stay prepared to get in action every few hours. Feel free to try out different lactating position to find the one working best for you. As a tip to relax, you can play some music or instrumental in a mild tone. It will encourage you to relax, have happy thoughts and focus on your bond with your baby.
While breastfeeding, you may encounter many complications such as insufficient milk supply, sore or cracked nipples etc. Moreover, if you had a high-risk pregnancy or preterm birth, your baby might have a problem latching on. Instead of enduring all the discomfort or depression, seek help. As you might need special guidance or equipment from your gynaecologist or obstetrician, get in touch with one.
Breastfeeding is a rather special time of your life. Do all you can to make this memorable and comfortable.