Blog

There are 416,327 cases globally with 18, 572 deaths

Covid19 virus affects anyone but mostly people between the ages of 30-90 years of age

1 in 6 people become seriously ill

1 in 5 need hospital care

80% recover

Many people can have mild symptoms and be spreading the disease! People should isolate themselves if they don’t feed good or have any symproms.

People over 60 years of age that have underlying conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer or heart problems are more likely to develop a more difficult course of the disease and possible death.

Antibiotics don’t work on virus’s and they should not be given as preventative medication

SARS- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome          said to pass from a civet cat

MARS- Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome   said to pass from a dromedray camels

Although the virus’s are similar Covid19 is a new disease and we are still learning about it, how it  spreads and the severity of the illness

There is no evidence that a dog or cat or a pet can transmit or get the Covid19 virus

References for the last 3 blog posts come from: Center of Disease Control, International Lactation Consultant Association, Unicef, US Lactation Consultant Association, World Health Organization, Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.

Mother and Baby Breastfeeding Scenarios

 

If a mother has been tested to be postive for Covid19 and she is too sick to be with her baby she can have someone help her to pump her breasts while the mother wears an N95 mask and then feed the breastmilk to her baby via a spoon, syringe or a bottle. She should have a dedicated breastpump to use that only she uses. Excellent hand washing and gloves are to be used before and after pumping her breasts and then before and after feeding the  baby and then again before and after cleaning the pump parts. A disinfectant should be used on all surfaces involved.

If a mother has tested positive for Covid 19 but still feels well enough to nurse her baby she can nurse using respiratory hygiene via of an N95 face mask and  wearing gloves. She is to use meticulous hand washing and disinfection of the surfaces before and after nursing. If there is another caregiver for her baby, this is preferred and the crib can be kept 6 feet away from the mother.

If a mother is suspected of having Covid19 or is a (PUI) person under investigation. Either she would be waiting to be tested or waiting on the results of her test she can continue to breast feed her infant. She should use respiratory hygiene via wearing an N95 mask while she breastfeeds her baby. If she chooses to just pump not all of the immunites will be present in the breastmilk. Again meticulous hand washing before and after caring for the baby, the pump parts and the surfaces that were touched during the procedure.

If the mother contracts Covid19 shortly before giving birth and then she plans to breastfeed. The baby will get specific secretory IgA antibodies and many other critical immune proteins especially passed when the baby is directly breastfed.

The family of a known person with Covid19 should not share utensils, glasses, dishes, or the bathroom with the positive or the person under investigation. (PUI)

At home clean your door knobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, table tops, phone and keyboard surfaces with a disinfectant the can kill Covid19. Some products that are effective are Clorox disinfecting spray, Clorox multi surface cleaner, Lysol multi surface cleaner, Peroixide disinfectant and glass cleaner, Peroxide multi surface cleaner to name a few. Use a hand sanitizer that has at least 60 % alcohol.

COVID19 VIRUS IS CORONA VIRAL DISEASE 2019

The first case was believed to be in Wuhan China on December 31, 2019.

It is now a pandemic involving the entire world. It is said to be spread via airborne secretions and via contact and contaminated surfaces.

The incubation period is 3-14 days with 5 days being the average time when symptoms can appear.

The most common symptoms are:

A fever, a dry cough, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, lethargy, chest pains, nasal congestion, aches and pains, a sore throat, a headache and diarrhea.

A pregnant woman may be at an increased risk of contracting the disease as her immune system is lower. She is to maintain her immune system with adequate hydration and sleep. Social distancing as much as possible and staying 6 feet from other people as much as possible. The CDC does not report an increased risk of miscarriage or fetal abnormalities from the Covid 19 virus in the unborn baby. However, data is limited because Covid 19 is a new virus.

The virus has not been detected in breastmilk, amniotic fluid or the baby’s throat. However, it has not be determined whether the virus can  be passed to the baby.

The Covid19 virus can survive on a copper surface for 4 hour

        The Covid19 virus can survive on cardboard for 24 hours

The Covid19 virus can survive on plastic or steel for 2-3 days

It is also said that air droplets can hang in the air for 3 hours before dropping

Temperature and humidity can affect how long Covid19 says alive on a surface

Use common sense and wash your hands for 20 seconds (sing Happy birthday) make sure to get your thumbs between your fingers and palms of your hands. Use disinfectant wipes on the pump dials and handles and counter tops. Sanitize pump parts once daily.

                          Always consider IPC measures-infection, prevention and control

This is a great article about the benefits of breastfeeding at different age groups. I need to make one correction. If you are providing 100% of your infant’s nutrition then you have a 98% chance of not getting pregnant. You cannot count on your period letting you know when you are fertile because you can ovulate and be pregnant before you even have your first period. Definitely something to consider! https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/how-long-should-i-breastfeed-my-baby