HSRC Seminar: Is COVID-19 threatening breastfeeding and early childhood development?

18 August 2020

Online seminar

Overview: Nutrition is vital for Early Childhood Development especially in the first 1000 days. Breastmilk has all nutrients and containts antibodies that enhance the infant's immune system. COVID-19 resulted in confusion and mixed messages on whether it could be transmitted to infants through breastmilk. A Global Virtual Collaborative Network of Milk Banks (GAMBA) have formulated suggested responses to ensure that donor milk remains a safe and essential part of the newborn care.

CHAIR:

Prof. Finn Reygan, Human and Social Capabilities Division, HSRC

PRESENTERS:

Prof. Anna Coutsoudis, School of Clinical Medicine, UKZN; Global Virtual Collaborative Network of Milk Banks (GAMBA); World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action; Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)

Dr Penny Reimers

International Lactations Consultants Association; Lactation Consultants of Great Britain; Global Virtual Collaborative Network of Milk Banks (GAMBA)

Dr Wiedaad Slemming

Division of Community Paediatrics, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

Dr Ntombizodumo Mkwanazi

Human and Social Capabilities Division, HSRC; DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Human Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

Ms Kamesh Flynn

International policy advisor and analyst

For more information and presentations: www.hsrc.ac.za/en/events/seminars/is-covid-threatening-breastfeeding