Breastfeeding and COVID-19: What Families Need to Know
April 3, 2020, 3:45 p.m. — Scientists are learning more every day about the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, but many questions remain, such as how the virus might affect families with newborns or infants or women who are breastfeeding. “There have been very few studies looking at whether this virus or similar ones can be transmitted in breast milk, but to date there is no evidence that it is,” said Eustratia Hubbard, MD, a pediatrician and medical director of newborn services at UC San Diego Health. To learn more, scientists and doctors at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and the Family Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation are developing studies into breastfeeding and breast milk as they relate to COVID-19.
“We do know that breast milk is a perfect nutrition for infants and one of its special benefits is passing on to baby the antibodies mother has made to past infections, even an infection she is currently fighting,” Hubbard said.Experts recommend that mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infections continue to provide breast milk to their babies, using simple hygiene precautions and always be in communication with their babies’ health care providers. “If a mother who has a confirmed COVID-19 infection or respiratory symptoms, with or without a fever, decides to breastfeed, we recommend she washes her hands carefully beforehand and wears a mask during the feeding session,” said Hubbard.
If a mother is worried that her sneezes or coughs have left droplets on her shirt or bare chest, she may wish to remove her shirt completely or wash her chest and breasts before breastfeeding.
Women who might not be feeling well enough to breast feed can safely pump milk into bottles and if possible, have a healthy caregiver feed the infant. Pumping is also a good option for mothers who have to be separated from their babies due to illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all pumping mothers wash their hands before touching the pump or bottles and wash pump parts after each use. The CDC has additional guidelines for daily sanitizing of pump parts, which is recommended for families in certain situations, such as when babies are born prematurely. Extra parts and bottles can be purchased to reduce frequency of time spent sanitizing or washing equipment.
“Mothers who are not sick or who have not been diagnosed with COVID-19 are also encouraged to breastfeed because among all the many ingredients in breast milk are infection-fighting factors that increase when a mother is exposed to a new virus or bacteria,” said Hubbard. “In addition, if a mother is exclusively breastfeeding, there is no need to go out in public to purchase formula or worry if formula shortages or long delivery times become an issue.”
Although the benefits of breastfeeding are well-documented, that doesn’t mean it’s always easy, especially at the beginning. In-person support groups can provide emotional assistance and hands-on help. Current social distancing guidelines do not permit gatherings so breastfeeding support groups around San Diego have been temporarily suspended.
One helpful virtual resource is the free Mother’s Milk app developed by the San Diego Mother’s Milk Bank at UC San Diego Health. The app includes a blog with tips and videos on learning how to breastfeed.
For moms-to-be, UC San Diego Health is also now offering virtual breastfeeding classes.