REVIEW PAPER
Breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic
1
Department of Neonatology Wroclaw Medical University, University Hospital, Wroclaw, Poland
Submission date: 2022-01-21
Final revision date: 2022-02-21
Acceptance date: 2022-02-21
Publication date: 2022-06-10
Pediatr Pol 2022;97(2):140-145
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic significantly influenced aspects of children’s nutrition, in particular breastfeeding and the percentage of breastfeeding mothers. During the pandemic, changes in postnatal care have occurred and may result in a global decline of the breastfeeding initiation rate and problems with long-term maintenance of lactation. Mother’s milk is not a source of viral infection for a child; on the contrary, due to the presence of antibodies specific to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it gives the possibility of acquiring passive immune protection. Currently, breastfeeding requires special care and protection. Emphasizing the benefits of human milk should become a priority in obstetric, neonatal and pediatric departments.
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