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Kellie Eason RN, RM, IBCLCKellie is a Nurse, Midwife and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in private practice, with over 25 years experience. FOR MOTHERS WHO ARE UNABLE TO BREASTFEED OR PROVIDE BREASTMILK TO THEIR BABIES During pregnancy, mothers pass antibodies to her fetus through the placenta. These proteins circulate in the infant’s blood for weeks to months after birth, neutralizing microbes or marking them for destruction by phagocytic immune cells that consume and break down bacteria, viruses and cellular debris. This is the passive immunity that you provide your baby. This article is intended as a health promotion measure and is NOT INTENDED to infer any guilt or shaming of mothers who are unable to breastfeed. Please know that we health professionals are well aware that not all mothers can breastfeed and I want you to be reassured that if you have tried but couldn't, just know that the efforts you have made, do make a vital difference to the health and wellbeing of your children. Also, how great is it that your body is capable of transferring immunity that lasts for weeks, even months for your baby? BREASTFEEDING & COVID-19 THE FACTS TO DATE The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists have identified that there is no evidence that COVID-19 can be carried in breastmilk. So it’s felt that the well-recognised benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risks of transmission of COVID-19 through breastmilk. The main risk of breastfeeding is close contact between you and your baby, as you may share infective airborne droplets, leading to infection of the baby after birth. A discussion about the risks and benefits of breastfeeding should take place between you and your family and your maternity team. This guidance may change as knowledge evolves. If you choose to breastfeed your baby, the following precautions are recommended:
If you choose to feed your baby with formula or expressed milk, it is recommend that you follow strict adherence to sterilisation guidelines. If you are expressing breast milk in hospital, a dedicated breast pump should be used. HOW BREASTMILK PROTECTS BABIES AGAINST INFECTIONS The list below describes just 18 out of over 200 beneficial health components of breastmilk. A description of each will help you understand how it is beneficial in protecting infants from infections and given the COVID-19 Pandemic, why it is ever so important for parents to be informed about this. Enteromammary Pathway When mothers are exposed to harmful viruses and bacteria within their immediate environment, their immune system builds extra antibodies and immune factors which are then passed onto the baby through breastmilk. This is one of the ways that breastfeeding provides natural immunisation for infants during viral and bacterial illnesses and why it is recommended to continue breastfeeding and providing breastmilk to infants during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Secretory IgA, IgG, IgM, IgD and IgE
Human Milk Oligosaccharides
Interferon Strong antiviral activity HAMLET (Human Alpha-Lactalbumin Made Lethal to Tumour Cells)
Lactoferrin
B12 Binding Protein Starves pathogenic bacteria that relies on Vitamin B12 to thrive Fibronectin
Leukocytes
Probiotics
Lysozyme Disrupts bacterial proliferation by destroying their cell walls Cortisol/epidermal growth factor/nerve growth factor/insulin-like growth factor and somatomedin C Until approximately 4-6 months of age, the infant's gut lining is highly permeable and most vulnerable to absorbing infections pathogens. These factors help to close up the leaky gut lining of the newborn, making it relatively impermeable to unwanted pathogens and other potentially harmful agents LA LECHE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL'S MEDIA RELEASE RE: COVID-19 AND BREASTFEEDING Mothers who become infected with COVID-19 shortly before giving birth and then begin breastfeeding, and those who become infected while breastfeeding, will produce specific secretory IgA antibodies and many other critical immune factors in their milk to protect their nursing infants and enhance their infants’ own immune responses. At this time, these immunologic factors will aid their infants’ bodies to respond more effectively to exposure and infection. Following good hygiene practices will also help reduce transfer of the virus. If someone who is breastfeeding becomes ill, it is important not to interrupt direct breastfeeding. The baby has already been exposed to the virus by the mother and/or family and will benefit most from continued direct breastfeeding. Any interruption of breastfeeding may actually increase the infant’s risk of becoming ill and even of becoming severely ill. Disruption of breastfeeding may lead to several issues:
A FEW FACTS 1. DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN RELACTATE and RE-ESTABLISH YOUR BREASTFEEDING? Did you know that if you commenced breastfeeding or expressing breastmilk, you can seek support from an IBCLC to restore your ability to breastfeed and lactate? Not matter the amount of breastmilk a mother provides to her baby, she is still transferring these powerful immune factors to her baby which have been proven to reduce the risk of respiratory borne illnesses amongst infants. A consultation is needed to assess:
As a general rule of thumb, the more recent you have ceased expressing or breastfeeding, the quicker and higher your chances are of re-establishing breastfeeding and lactation. For example, if you stopped breastfeeding or expressing 2 weeks ago, it may take as little as 2 weeks, to re-establish breastfeeding and lactating. 2. IF YOU ARE THINKING OF STOPPING BREASTFEEDING OR EXPRESSING BREASTMILK It is more certain now than ever, that now is not the time to stop as you are providing the best immune protection for your baby not only against COVID-19, but a host of other breastfeeding/breastmilk preventable illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes, Obesity and Leukaemia There is no vaccine against COVID-19 and babies have immature immune systems and where possible, need to be boosted with protective breastmilk. If you are struggling with breastfeeding or expressing breastmilk, please seek help (see information at bottom of this article) 3. BREASTMILK & BREASTFEEDING DOESN'T HAVE TO BE "ALL OR NOTHING" Whether an infant's diet is solely or partially based on breastfeeding and/or breastmilk, any amount of breastmilk has proven benefits to the health of all infants. Obviously the greater the amount of breastfeeding or breastmilk a baby receives, the better the immune protection. All breastfeeding and all breastmilk feeding counts, no matter how much! 4. DONATING BREASTMILK OR ACCESSING DONATED BREASTMILK
If you have a breastmilk supply that exceeds the needs of your own infant's needs, please consider expressing and donating this breastmilk for children in need. Discussing human breastmilk donation is an article in itself, so I will refer you to these sites for more information: IF YOU NEED HELP For us here at MILK...early parenting support, it is business as usual, with extra precautions within our clinic and for home visits due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Hygiene measures as to the WHO COVID-19 guidelines have been in effect such as: 1. Screening patients as above 2. Asking patients to wash their hands with our sanitiser 3. Sanitising all door handles, desks, bench tops and any equipment used after each patient 4. Asking parents to change their child's nappy in their car rather than at the clinic Please Contact us, we offer: 1. Clinic based consultation at our Preston & Greensborough/Briar Hill in Victoria Australia (click here to book online) 2. Online consultations for those of you who feel more comfortable to stay at home (click here to book online) 3. In home consultation within the Northern Suburbs of Melbourne (click here to call us 0473 799 478) To contact an IBCLC within Australia & NZ Find a lactation consultant directory For 24 hour National Breastfeeding Support Call 1800686268 SOURCES
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Kellie Eason RN, RM, IBCLCNurse, Midwife, IBCLC, Infant Feeding Therapist, Birth & Parenting Educator, Baby Sleep & Settling Consultant Categories
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