Just after Sitti Navarro’s husband, Joey Ramirez recovers from Covid-19, it seemed like the odds weren’t in their favor as Sitti began experiencing the same virus’s symptoms. She got tested and it came out positive.
What can you read in this article?
- Sitti and family’s Covid-19 journey
- Sitti continues to breastfeed baby despite the virus
- Caring for a newborn if you have Covid-19
Sitti and family’s Covid-19 journey
Sitti Navarro shared in her Instagram that her symptoms were fairly mild – slight fatigue, clogged nose, and an occasional headache.
The same mild symptoms happened with husband Joey who experienced Omicron-related symptoms such as a 1-day fever, cough, colds, and an itchy throat. With this, Sitti believes that vaccines do work.
View this post on Instagram
Moreover, she also shared how she still feels positive that the couple didn’t have to get sick at the same time, so that one can take care of their babies and their family while the other is in isolation.
So while Sitti is in quarantine and recovering, Joey takes care of Issiah Dañelle or Lilibubs, their firstborn. A short video was posted by Sitti showing Lilibubs wanting to come to see her baby sister, Osseah Lucille or Lucybubs as they call her. But with the virus being airborne and posing a greater threat to kids, risking it would be too much.
Sitti continues to breastfeed her baby despite the virus
View this post on Instagram
As soon as she started isolating, she called her doctors, Dr. Mark Herbet “Bistek” Rosario and Dr. Belle Goco-Raquiño. Doc Bistek advised Sitti to continue direct latching with Lucybubs as the baby’s need for breastmilk is greater than the risk of contracting the virus.
Doc Belle on the other hand said that if Sitti’s going to continue breastfeeding, then Lucybubs should be with her in isolation.
With these, she writes in her post, “It may be selfish of me but I’m glad that I’m not isolating alone, that I’m at least with one of my kids.”
While relieved that she can still give Lucybubs the nourishments she needs, she prays that her baby doesn’t get the virus. Even with the high chance of the virus getting into Lucybubs as a host.
Image from Sitti Navarro’s Instagram account
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Caring for a newborn if you have Covid-19
Photo by Jonathan Borba from Pexels
In the same situation with Sitti Navarro? Here are tips on how you can reduce the chance of your baby contracting the virus while you’re breastfeeding.
If you just give birth or in the hospital:
- Before handling or caring for your infant, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water aren’t accessible.
- As much as possible, keep your newborn at least 6 feet away from you. Be sure to wear a mask too.
- While in the hospital, talk to your doctor about ways to safeguard your newborn, such as using a physical barrier (i.e., placing the newborn in an incubator).
If you tested positive and are quarantined at home:
- Stay at home and monitor your symptoms.
- Isolate (avoid contact with) non-infected family members and wear a mask in public areas.
- Designate a healthy caregiver who can provide care for you and your baby. Your caregiver must be completely vaccinated and not at a higher risk of serious disease.
As much as you are monitoring your symptoms and progress, be on the lookout for possible symptoms that your child might be experiencing.
If your baby exhibits one or more of these signs or symptoms, they may be showing early signs of COVID-19 or another condition, and you should seek medical advice.
- Fever
- Cough
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Overly tired or inactive
- Runny nose
- Shallow breathing
- Poor feeding
Breastfeeding a newborn if you have Covid-19
Just like what Doc Bistek advised Sitti Navarro, the World Health Organization has the same take on the situation:
“WHO recommends that mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should be encouraged to initiate or continue to breastfeed. Mothers should be counselled that the benefits of breastfeeding substantially outweigh the potential risks for transmission.”
Whether mothers or their infants have suspected or confirmed COVID-19, moms and their babies should be able to stay together while in isolation.
Furthermore, WHO says that there is insufficient evidence that suggests that COVID-19 is transmitted directly through breastfeeding. The incidence of COVID-19 infection in infants is minimal, and the infection is usually moderate or asymptomatic, but the consequences of not nursing, and separation between mother and child can be serious.
Thus, mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should follow doctors’ and WHO recommendations for starting and continuing breastfeeding with their newborns and young children.
If you have COVID-19 and choose to breastfeed:
- Before breastfeeding, wash your hands.
- When you’re breastfeeding or within 6 feet of your baby, wear a mask.
If you have COVID-19 and choose to pump breast milk:
- If at all feasible, use your own breast pump (one that is not shared with anyone else).
- When pumping breast milk, wear a mask.
- Before touching any pump or bottle parts, or pumping breast milk, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- After each usage, clean the pump according to the manufacturer’s instructions. All elements of the pump that come into contact with breast milk should be thoroughly cleaned.
- Designate a healthy caregiver who can provide care for you and your baby. Your caregiver must be completely vaccinated and not at a higher risk of serious disease.
- If the caregiver lives in the same house as you or has had close contact with you and has not yet received full COVID-19 vaccination, they may have been exposed. Be sure to check through testing.
Contact your healthcare provider
Above all else, it is important to be in constant communication with your doctor so he or she can guide you through all your signs, symptoms, progress, and questions.
Source:
Instagram, CDC, WHO
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