According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mothers who test positive are advised to keep on breastfeeding their infants since breastfeeding protects kids from getting sick and also helps protect them throughout their infancy and childhood.
Due to the increase of cases the government has chosen to introduce home based care where patients who test positive for covid-19 but with minor symptoms can stay home and recover from there. This includes the mothers who test positive for covid-19 while breastfeeding.
All confirmed or suspected covid-19 cases, who are breastfeeding should take precautions. The Minister of State in the Ministry of Health (MoH),Lt. Col. Dr Tharcisse Mpunga, , gives us some tips on what you can do to keep your children safe after testing positive for covid-19.
Wear face mask
All breastfeeding mothers who test positive for Covid-19 should wear their face masks whenever they are caring for their children.
"Mothers are highly encouraged to wear their face masks properly for those who use surgical masks; they can even wear 2 masks in order to reduce the transition of virus,” Mpunga said.
General Hygiene
According to Mpunga, it is advisable for those mothers not only to wash their hands before and after breast feeding their children, they have to wash their breast always before breastfeeding their kids for those who do not do it normally but it is highly recommended when you tested positive for covid-19.
He added that general hygiene is advisable whenever there is going to be any contact such as washing the children, feeding them for those mothers who don’t have a caregiver who tested negative for covid-19.
Don’t sleep with children
It is not good for the mothers with covid-19 to sleep with their babies since they can’t wear masks while sleeping.
"It is good for the mother to have someone to look after her kids in order to avoid transmission of the virus but for those who can’t get that person they are advised to sleep far from their kids for their safety and approach them where it is necessary” Mpunga said
Breast feed in an open space
According to WHO the transmission of covid-19 is particularly effective in crowded, confined indoor spaces with poor or no ventilation, hence ensuring adequate ventilation may reduce the risk of covid-19 infection.
Children's utensils need to be separated from the rest
If you are breastfeeding after testing positive for covid-19, you should not mix children’s feeding bottles and other related tools with others.
According to Mpunga, mothers are allowed to breastfeed and remain together with their children after testing positive but have to follow all covid-19 measures as well as other precautions to protect their kids.