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Mothers diagnosed with COVID-19 can still breastfeed – Expert

Dr Rose Ameh, a pediatrician, says breastfeeding mothers with the COVID-19 virus can still breastfeed their babies, because breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact are beneficial for both baby and mother.
Ameh told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja that breastfeeding offers a variety of health benefits not only to an infant but also to a young mother.
“Breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contacts are beneficial for both baby and mother as it improves babies survival, enhances brain development and reduce the risk of serious illness and death.
“These benefits substantially outweigh the risks posed by COVID-19.
“Breastfeeding helps the mother to return to her pre-pregnancy weight and reduces the risk of developing breast, ovarian and uterus cancer.
“It also lowers the risk of developing type-II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and post-menopausal osteoporosis in future.
“Coronavirus, is yet to be found in breast milk. However, if you have COVID-19, you might spread the virus to your infant through tiny droplets that spread when you talk, cough or sneeze,’’Ameh said.
She advised mothers to take precaution by limiting close face-to-face contact with infants, nor cough or sneeze directly but do that into a tissue and trash properly.
“Breast milk is important during public health emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic, when it may be more challenging to buy formula and other feeding supplies.
“Your breast milk is the best nutrition for your baby and can protect against many illnesses. While you are sick, you or someone else can give your baby expressed breast milk.
“If you choose to breastfeed or give expressed milk in a bottle, to help prevent spreading the virus to your baby; Wash your hands before and after touching your baby, wear a mask while nursing.
“Wash your hands before touching your breast pump or bottle parts, clean all parts after each use and let someone else in your household who is not sick give your baby your expressed breast milk.
“The outbreak of COVID-19 is a stressful time for everyone. This may be especially true for mothers who are breastfeeding and concerned about their baby’s health,’’ Ameh said.
When asked if a donor’s breast milk was safe during the pandemic, the expert noted that donor breast milk that have been screened and pasteurised can be used.
She however said that a mother’s own milk should always be the first choice as this was responsive to her and her baby’s environment.
Speaking on If a breastfeeding mother could get inoculated; Ameh stated that evidence suggested that women who were breastfeeding can be offered a COVID-19 vaccine as part of the mass vaccination programme.
“I have patients and I have seen patients who are breastfeeding and have also been vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and efficacious, always speak with your health care provider,” she advised.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.
PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.
Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.
In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.
Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”
His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.
“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.
“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.
On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.
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