ICEA Responds to the CDC's Influenza Precautions for Mom/Baby Dyads

MORRISVILLE, N.C. - April 12, 2016 - PRLog -- In light of the recent Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for influenza, the International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) has prepared a response suggesting an alternate approach to mother/baby care in cases of influenza.

The recent CDC guidelines for influenza suggests that in the event that when a mom presents with confirmed influenza at delivery, she and her baby be separated to avoid spreading the virus to the baby. They suggest that mom pump breastmilk to maintain her supply and resume breastfeeding once she is well. The CDC guidelines for separation should occur until:

·      the mother had received antiviral treatment for >48 hours
·      the mother was afebrile without antipyretics for >24 hours, and
·      the mother was able to control her cough and respiratory secretions

In the event of any outbreak, it is important to discern best practice for both mom and baby.

After reviewing this suggestion, ICEA feels these suggestions from the CDC do not take into account the protective mechanisms biologically in place with exclusive breastfeeding. If baby is breastfeeding, the mother will make antibodies in response to microbes the baby is exposed to, thus giving better protection than isolation. Since the CDC has only made a suggestion on this dyad care model in cases of outbreak, it is up to the individual hospital or birth center to determine the best approach. In many cases, mom and baby are isolated together to allow for the cocooning practice, recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics to reduce exposure to others.

For additional information, contact ICEA at info@icea.org  or call toll free: 800.624.4934.

About ICEA

Formed in 1960, the International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) is a nonprofit professional organization that supports educators and other health care providers who believe in freedom to make decisions based on knowledge of alternatives in family-centered maternity and newborn care. Among member benefits, the association offers a peer-reviewed journal called the International Journal of Childbirth Education (IJCE). For more information about ICEA, please visit their website at www.icea.org.