Research Information System
in: Preventive Child Health Practices During the COVID - 19 Pandemic, Nilgün Çöl, Editor, Turkiye Klinikleri, Ankara, pp.14-19, 2021
COVID-19, which started in China in December 2019 and spread all over the world, is an infection that affects every stage of life. The number of pregnant women and children with COVID-19 infection, which is reported to be asymptomatic or mild in most young children, is gradually increasing. Breast milk, which has many positive effects for both mother and baby in the short and long term, has a great effect on the protection and maintenance of health under extraordinary conditions. In addition to its unique nutritional properties, the bioactive substances it contains, factors regulating the immune system and anti-inflammatory substances protect the baby from infections. In studies conducted so far, it has not been reported that COVID-19 infection is transmitted from breast milk to the baby. The World Health Organization recommends skin contact and breastfeeding by paying attention to the mask and hand hygiene of COVID-19 infected mothers, taking into account the benefits of breast milk and the harms of formula feeding. Healthcare professionals should support the mother-infant couple in initiating and maintaining breastfeeding, guided by these recommendations. Clean water and appropriate preparation conditions are important in babies fed formula milk. In addition, during the pandemic period where resources are limited, families should be informed about healthy nutrition of infant.