Generating awareness and spreading latest COVID-19 facts crucial to tackle breastfeeding challenges

As India celebrated National Nutrition Month under the shadow of COVID, it’s time we put spotlight on breastfeeding challenges brought that held back lactating women to feed the primary source of nutrition during the pandemic.

The first 1000 days of life are extremely crucial for new-borns and mothers. This period starts with conception of a baby continues with pregnancy and ends with a child’s second birthday.

A couple of common myths discouraging breastfeeding practices during the pandemic are - COVID infection transmits through breast milk, from mothers to the new-borns, and breastfeeding women should not get vaccinated.

On the contrary, The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that ‘mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should be encouraged to initiate or continue to breastfeed. Mothers should be counselled that the benefits of breastfeeding substantially outweigh the potential risks for transmission.

Raising awareness among mothers/parents/caregivers and educating them in debunking existing misconceptions around breastfeeding in COVID times can likely improve the scenario.

Both government and civil society organisations can play a key role in delivering the facts and generating awareness on breastfeeding during the pandemic in far wide corners of the country.

Child Rights and You (CRY) aims to raise awareness on the best breastfeeding practices and pass on the latest information during the Govt designated VHSNDs - Village Health, Sanitation & Nutrition Day observed at the Anganwadi centres across India.

CRY also trains and builds capacities of mothers, caregivers and Village Heath Sanitation & Nutrition Committee members. During the VHSNDs, the organisation educates the fathers/male members to take care of the mothers too as much as the new-borns.

It’s crucial to come together and play an active role in widespread sharing of the latest info so that both mothers and children do not fall prey to misinformation rather than infection of coronavirus.