A survey conducted during the first closure shows that 15% chose to continue breastfeeding beyond the time planned • Ministry of Health: There is no evidence of infecting a baby using breast milk
8% of survey participants stopped or reduced breastfeeding following corona
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Getty Images (illustration)
The Ministry of Health tonight (Sunday) published an online survey report conducted during the first closure (between 27.4-11.5) in order to examine the effect of the corona period on breastfeeding patterns. Of 638 mothers of infants up to 6 months who responded to the survey, 580 breastfed during a period this.
15% of breastfeeding women reported that they chose to continue breastfeeding beyond the time they planned and 8% reported that they reduced the frequency of breastfeeding or stopped breastfeeding following the crisis.
The women who chose to continue breastfeeding beyond the planned time reported several reasons for this: 70% reported that the reason was related to understanding that breastfeeding protects against infections, 66% due to higher availability and availability at home, 33% reported breastfeeding soothing them and 14% due to economic considerations.
In contrast, women who reduced or stopped breastfeeding frequently reported other causes: 65% reported that it was due to lack of referrals due to additional children at home, 34% due to stress and anxiety, 27% due to decreased mood and 7% due to the need for breastfeeding advice.
Recommendations of the Ministry of Health for breastfeeding during the corona period:
1. There is no evidence to date, of infecting a baby in the corona using breast milk.
The World Health Organization and other international organizations recommend continued breastfeeding even in women verified for corona.
In many countries, such as the US, France, the UK, Australia and Italy it is recommended for verified women to breastfeed.
Since breastfeeding is a close contact, through which the virus can be transmitted through the baby's exposure to secretions from the mother's airways or from contact, the Ministry of Health recommends breastfeeding while wearing a mask and maintaining hygiene.
