There are many questions and concerns regarding the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Among them, mothers are asking if it is safe to breastfeed their babies if they have COVID-19. COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving global medical situation with limited information available at this time. Understandably, new mothers have questions about what the best thing to do is during this pandemic. Everyday, international health and medical organizations and associations release up-to-date information as understanding of the virus is developed. Here are the most current recommendations regarding this global health crisis.
It is a known fact that breast milk provides protection against many illnesses and is the best source of nutrition for most infants. One of the most important benefits of breastfeeding is the ability to provide immunological protection to an infant. Most often, babies who are nursed remain healthy even when their parents fall ill with an infectious disease. This is because mothers produce specific secretory IgA antibodies and many other critical immune factors in their milk to protect their infants and enhance their immune responses. These immunologic factors aid their infants’ bodies to respond more effectively to exposure and infection. There is a growing body of research suggesting that babies benefit from multiple and diverse immunologic proteins, including antibodies, which are provided directly through breastfeeding.
Much is still unknown about how COVID-19 is spread. What we do know is that mother-to-fetus transmission of coronavirus during pregnancy is unlikely, but after birth a newborn is susceptible to person-to-person spread. Although we do not currently know whether mothers with COVID-19 can transmit the virus via breastmilk, the CDC, WHO, and ABM all support mothers providing breast milk to their babies even if they are infected with COVID-19. Limited studies have been performed on women with COVID-19, but according to these reports, the virus has not been detected in breastmilk. Data from the Lancet suggests that the virus has NOT been detected in samples of amniotic fluid, umbilical cord blood, breastmilk, or nasopharyngeal swabs of babies when their mothers tested positive for COVID-19.
Safety Tips for Breastfeeding/Pumping with COVID-19
If a mother has COVID-19 and wishes to nurse, she should be encouraged to express her breast milk and maintain her milk supply. This can be performed directly via breastfeeding or by pumping. Mothers should:
Wash their hands for at least 20 seconds before touching the baby, the pump, or bottle parts.
Use an alcohol-based sanitizer as needed to maintain hand hygiene
Put on a face mask while breastfeeding or pumping
Wash their hands with soap and warm water when visibly soiled.
Clean and disinfect all surfaces that she or the baby touches (e.g. countertop, chair, etc.)
Perform proper pump kit hygiene and follow recommendations according to the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the cleaning of all parts that come into contact with the breast/milk.
Clean and disinfect the outside of the pump when finished.
If a mother has coughed or sneezed onto her uncovered chest or breast, cleanse the skin that may come into contact with the baby or pump.