WHO urges mothers to breastfeed even if infected with COVID-19

Aug 4, 2020, 2:42 PM

GENEVA (Reuters) - Mothers should breastfeed their babies even if they have contracted COVID-19, the World Health Organization’s head said on Monday, as the benefits outweigh the risks of infection.

“WHO recommends that mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should be encouraged the same as all other mothers to initiate or continue breastfeeding,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news conference.

As the world marks breastfeeding awareness week, Tedros said “the many benefits of breastfeeding for newborn babies and children substantially outweigh the potential risks of COVID-19 infections”.

Reporting by Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio in Brussels; Editing by Alison Williams

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