The UNICEF recommends that breastfeeding should continue even when a mother is suspected of being infected with the influenza A (H1N1) virus. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has recommended that Ukrainians extend breastfeeding of children as much as possible during spread of the influenza A (H1N1), according to the fund's statement.

The United Nations Children's Fund note that breastfeeding during the spread of pandemic influenza in Ukraine will reduce the flow of respiratory infections among babies.
According to the statement, children under the age of one are in the highest risk group for the influenza A (H1N1) and babies that are not being breastfed are even more vulnerable.


TheFund recommends that breastfeeding should continue even when a mother is suspected of being infected with the influenza A (H1N1) virus because a baby can be infected before the symptoms appear in its mother. Breastfeeding is even recommended when a mother is receiving antiviral medicines for treating or preventing influenza (oseltamivir or zanamivir) and in case of suspected influenza A(H1N1) infection among babies.


Other recommendations on caring for babies in order to prevent infection with influenza A (H1N1) include: observance of hand hygiene and cough etiquette, prevention of contacts between children and infected people, prevention of children from visiting places where large numbers of people gather, and reduction of the number of toys and other items that can get into the mouths of children.