It is now common to come across SOS calls for hospital beds, Covid medication, and oxygen on social media. However, the need for donor breast milk is steadily increasing as more pregnant women are critically affected after a positive Covid-19 test.
Demand for donor milk increased as Covid-positive mothers were either admitted to intensive care units or in cases where the mothers had succumbed to the infection. It is mainly needed in premature babies.
There is also a tendency to ask nursing mothers who are producing extra milk to help if a mother is either not producing enough or is critically ill. However, doctors say veterinary care could expose the baby to infection and is not recommended. In cases where two nursing mothers live in the same family and both have tests for infection, this could be an option. However, it is only recommended if no other option is available.
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In the event the baby is not premature but the mother is uncomfortable and unable to breastfeed, the doctors said the formula was safe to feed the baby. Donor milk is only needed if the baby is premature.
The reserve in milk banks is also sparse due to the lockdown, and most donors are concerned about contracting the virus, although doctors say the milk is extracted in a way that leaves no room for the coronavirus to be transmitted to a nursing mother .
It should be noted that doctors say that even if the mother is infected with the virus, breastfeeding is encouraged as the likelihood of vertical transmission is negligible. However, Covid increases the likelihood of early deliveries, and in this case, the donor’s breast milk becomes a necessity.
Dr. Shelly Singh, Senior Consultant Obstetrics and Gynecologist at Rosewalk Hospitals in Delhi, said: “We only recommend donor milk for early deliveries that could be caused by Covid. In cases where the mother is infected with Covid but is able Breastfeeding, we will not recommend donor milk. Donor milk is only given as a medication for premature babies and on the recommendation of doctors. “
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY
Doctors speaking to IndiaToday.in emphasized that breastfeeding is promoted even if the mother is infected with Covid-19 and the likelihood of vertical transmission is negligible. But they claimed that hand washing and proper masking are important when a mother is breastfeeding her baby.
The World Health Organization on its scientific behalf had said: “WHO recommends encouraging mothers with suspected or confirmed Covid-19 to start or continue breastfeeding. Mothers should be advised that the benefits of breastfeeding significantly outweigh the potential risks for transmission. Mother and child should be able to stay. ” together during the stay during the day and night and to practice skin-to-skin contact, including the care of kangaroo mothers, especially immediately after childbirth and during breastfeeding, regardless of whether they or their infants have Covid- 19 suspected or confirmed. “
Dr. Raghuram Mallaiah, Director of Neonatology Fortis La Femme and Founder of Amaara Human Milk Bank, said: “Breast milk is not processed while donor milk is processed and pasteurized. We first test the mother for infections and collect the milk and pasteurize it without compromising nutritional value However, there is a strong possibility that some of the protective effects of milk will be destroyed. Therefore, breast milk is always a top priority. Milk bank milk is only used as a substitute and substitute. Typically, this milk is only used in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). on which premature babies are prone to other diseases. If you give them formula they can get sick and even death. We have a certain set of criteria for delivering this milk to babies. “
Dr. Commenting on the increased demand for donor milk and the lack of supply, Naveen Parkash Gupta, Senior Consultant Neonatology at Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital in Delhi, said: “Because of the lockdown, the collection of milk from voluntary donors has decreased. Covid has increased premature births and this milk is special good for the premature intestine as it significantly reduces the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis – a dangerous disease for babies. “
Experts recommend approaching milk banks
While crying out for breast milk for newborns is heartbreaking, seeking help from individual breastfeeding mothers is strongly discouraged. Doctors strongly urge that milk banks be contacted in the event of such a need – only if the baby is premature.
When asked about veterinary care, Dr. Raghuram Mallaiah: “We will not recommend veterinary care as it could expose the baby to various infections. This is something families do when there are two nursing mothers and one is unable to feed, but it is not medically advisable . “
Dr. Naveen Parkash Gupta also highlighted the risk associated with veterinary care. He said that the donor milk goes through various processes in a milk bank to ensure it is safe for the baby and the donor mother is also tested for infections, which reduces any risk to the baby – which might not be the case in veterinary care.
Dr. Raghuram Mallaiah, Director of Neonatology Fortis La Femme and founder of Amaara Human Milk Bank, also appealed to breastfeeding mothers who are producing extra milk to donate to milk banks as Covid has led to earlier deliveries, increasing the demand for donor milk. He also said that under the current circumstances, the milk will be collected from the donor mother’s house with the rules in force so as not to expose it to Covid-19.
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