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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.
This comes as the world commemorates World Breastfeeding Day.
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”.
