Misalignment of global COVID-19 breastfeeding and newborn care guidelines with World Health Organization recommendations

Hoang, D. V., Cashin, J., Gribble, K., Marinelli, K., & Mathisen, R. Misalignment of global COVID-19 breastfeeding and newborn care guidelines with World Health Organization recommendations. BMJ nutrition, prevention & health. December 2020. doi:10.1136/bmjnph-2020-000184
​BMJ publication presents findings from a review of 68 international COVID-19 guidance documents, from 33 countries, on the care of infants with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 positive mothers for alignment with WHO recommendations. The authors reviewed guidance on (1) skin-to-skin contact; (2) early initiation of breastfeeding; (3); rooming-in; (4) direct breastfeeding; (5) provision of expressed breastmilk; (6) provision of donor human milk; (7) wet nursing; (8) provision of breastmilk substitutes; (9) psychological support for separated mothers; and (10) psychological support for separated infants. They noted an inconsistency in international guidelines and an overall undervaluing of the importance of maternal proximity and breastfeeding to infant health.