You are not alone - breastfeeding support is still available during COVID-19

COVID-19 is affecting all our lives and there is a lot we need to get used to. If you are pregnant or you have just given birth, this can be a particularly worrying time.  But as we are all spending much more time in our homes, this can present a great opportunity to start and continue to breastfeed.

Janet Calvert, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager at the PHA, said: “We know that breastfeeding mums need support and with the reduction of home visits from health professionals we want to make sure you know you are not on your own.

“Breastmilk provides all the nutrients your baby needs to grow and develop; it has very special ingredients such as antibodies, hormones and stem cells to help protect your baby now and in the future. Breastmilk helps to protect your baby from stomach infections, ear and chest infections, kidney infections as well as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It is also important as it helps mum and baby build a strong bond and the hormones produced while breastfeeding can really help relax both mum and baby during this anxious time.

“It is important to know that even if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19 that breastfeeding is still recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), and the well-recognised benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risks of transmission of coronavirus through breastmilk.

“Other great benefits of breastfeeding which are particularly important during this pandemic are the fact that breastmilk is free and easily accessible.

“You can continue to keep up a good milk supply for your baby through enjoying lots of skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding frequently and responsively, including through the night, and monitoring your baby’s wet and dirty nappies to know that things are going well.”

It is also possible to return to breastfeeding if you have recently (within the past few months) stopped and breastfeeding was well established. Speak to your health care professional if this is something that you would like to re-establish. The longer you breastfeed the better – the WHO recommends that babies are exclusively breastfed until around six months, and then after solid foods are introduced that breastfeeding continues into the second year of life and beyond.

Janet concluded: “Although we need to stay at home, there is still breastfeeding support available, both over the phone and online. To find out more about support visit the website www.breastfedbabies.org. 

“The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone, reach out the support is there and you can use this extra time you have at home with your baby as an opportunity to be able to carry on breastfeeding.”

For further information on maternity services during  COVID-19 see: www.ni-maternity.com