COVID-19 and Breastfeeding

*Please note that this information is constantly evolving as more research is done. Always check for the current CDC Breastfeeding Guidelines.

Guidance on Pregnancy and COVID

• World Health Organization
• Centers for Disease Control

Guidance on Breastfeeding and COVID

• World Health Organization
  • Yes. Women with COVID-19 can breastfeed if they wish to do so. They should:
    • Practice respiratory hygiene during feeding, wearing a mask where available;
    • Wash hands before and after touching the baby;
    • Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces they have touched.
  • https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-on-covid-19-pregnancy-childbirth-and-breastfeeding
• Centers for Disease Control:

• If you are breastfeeding and have symptoms of or confirmed COVID-19, take steps to avoid spreading the virus to your baby:
  • Wash your hands before touching your baby
  • Wear a face mask, if possible, while feeding at the breast
  • Wash your hands before touching pump or bottle parts and clean all parts after each use
• Additional information
  • Info for parents: www.newmomhealth.com/coronavirus-for-new-moms

Resources for Lactation Professionals: 

• International Lactation Consultant Association – ILCA Resources for Lactation Supporters Providing Infant and Young Child Feeding Advice During COVID-19
  • https://ilca.org/covid-19/
  • https://ilca.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Resources-for-Lactation-Supporters-Covid-19.pdf 
• Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine – ABM Statement on Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
  • https://www.bfmed.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=138&fbclid=IwAR0hk75%20Jv9MNareDxlsoDLdguJxqlpVtARDytf3lMEeMsRFMwyA43DjiVbw 
• Human Milk Banking Association of North America – Full statement on milk banking and COVID-19.
  • https://www.hmbana.org/file_download/inline/a04ca2a1-b32a-4c2e-9375-44b37270cfbd
• Bartick, M. (2020) COVID-19: Separating Infected Mothers from Newborns: Weighing the Risks and Benefits. Harvard Medical School Trends in Medicine, A global perspective on medical advancements. https://trends.hms.harvard.edu/2020/03/31/covid-19-separating-infected-mothers-from-newborns-weighing-the-risks-and-benefits/
• Lactation Education Resources [Handout, Webinars] (2020), Resources for Lactation Supporters During COVID-19. https://www.lactationtraining.com/covid-19
• National WIC Association [Handout] (2020). Breastfeeding and COVID-19 Guidance. https://s3.amazonaws.com/aws.upl/nwica.org/covid_bf_3_18_2020.pdf
• Meier, P., Patel, A. [Handout] (2020). Is it Safe to Provide Milk for My NICU Baby if I Have or Have Been Exposed to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)? https://www.larsson-rosenquist.org/media/1353/2003_nicu_babies_covid19.pdf