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a circumferential manner. Swab once and discard the used swab. Repeat using a new swab until the stump is clean. Leave the stump to dry. Twice a day is enough with thorough cleaning. - Ensure that nappies do not rub on the cord stump by folding them down at the front.

- Never attempt to pull or detach the

stump; allow it to fall off spontaneously. - The cord stump should fall off between 4-15 days. Seek for medical help if it delays for more than 3 weeks.

- Be alert for signs of infections like redness, swelling, pus discharge, bleeding, fever and poor feeding. Please seek early healthcare review in case of infection signs.

I have noted a lot of mothers being apprehensive about getting the COVID-19 Vaccine fearing the effects on it on their babies. Can the vaccine be excreted in breast milk? If yes, what effect can it have on the baby?

There is no evidence suggesting that a vaccine against SARSCoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is harmful to either the mother or the breastfed baby. The COVID-19 vaccine is not excreted in breast milk. The immunoglobulins produced by the mother’s immune system after vaccination are secreted in the breast milk. These antibodies are said to be protective to the infant against SARSCoV-2. Professional organisations (like WHO and CDC) recommend that COVID-19 vaccines be offered to those who are breastfeeding because the potential benefits of maternal vaccination outweigh the theoretical risks.

Can I give birth, care for and breastfeed my baby if I have Coronavirus? Or there is need to separate the baby until I recovery?

Yes, you can. Current evidence suggests that the chance of a baby getting COVID-19 from their mother is low. Breastfeeding is the best choice for feeding your infant even when you are COVID-19 positive, as long you follow the standard operation precautions of proper hand hygiene and wearing of the mask.

Emphasis to COVID-19 positive mother: Please wear a mask whenever you are within reach of your newborn.

If the mother decides not to directly care for her baby (say mother in isolation at home), she can express the breast milk after appropriate hand hygiene (using soap and water or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol), and milk may be fed to the infant by another uninfected caregiver. The caretaker must also practice hand hygiene.

Dr Charles Byaruhanga