Breastfeeding and COVID
There has been many questions since day one about COVID and breastfeeding including the risks and benefits.
The CDC continues to update around the clock updating according to the current knowledge and information in relation to all things COVID. There are many more supportive organizations with great and supporting information related to this topic, but for today I am using the CDC as a reference.
Other organizations include the WHO (supporting article), Medela (supporting article), and The American Academy of Pediatrics (supporting article). Please research information for yourself. Use multiple supporting, authentic, true and acknowledged sites and articles.
Here is a link that I have used as reference for my information here. This provides information about pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding newborns to young children. It is a great resource.
Here is another link I use for special care and instructions.
Benefits of breastfeeding in any special situation is the best nutritional support and antibody establishment for infants.
It is still unknown if COVID can be transmitted through breast milk causing an infections but we do knokw breast milk contains antibodies to help fight against illnesses.
Breastfeeding is not for everyone and there is safe appropriate alternatives.
First let’s start with pregnancy. Try to protect yourself from being exposed especially before delivery. Protect yourself and your family. Pregnant women seem to have an increased rick of this illness with severe complications. Limit your expose as well as close family members exposure and take appropriate precautions when unable to limit interactions with others. **DO NOT SKIP PRENATAL APPOINTMENTS.
Masks
Proper Hand hygiene (Soap and water washing hands for 20+ seconds or hand sanitizer that is FDA approved and safe when unable wash hands with soap and water)
Avoid others who are not wearing a mask.
THERE IS NO WAY TO PREVENT EXPOSURE 100%!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS
Ask you provider for updated information and support to help prevent infection during this time.
When it comes time to for delivery, the safest place is within a hospital setting. You have the rights to deliver how ever you would like in a safe hospital setting. You have access to emergency care if needed. Please ask questions about current hospital regulations and policies in relation to COVID. Have them explain the processes of being admitted and testings. Ask about the outcomes of resulting in positive COVID results during after delivery. Each hospital has their own rules and regulations.
**Newborns can be infected by a positive individual by being in close contact. Symptoms range from mild to no symptoms. Severe illness can result. All depends on each individual newborn and post delivery status related to age of gestation, delivery complications or unknown illness not discovered till after birth.
“CDC recognizes that the ideal setting for the care of a healthy, full-term newborn during the birth hospitalization is within the mother’s room. Temporary separation of the newborn from a mother with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should be considered to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to the newborn. The risks and benefits of temporary separation of the mother from her newborn should be discussed with the mother by her healthcare team.”- CDC
Separation from a newborn makes breastfeeding harder for mother’s in relation to establishing or maintaining supply, bonding, and transitioning for mother and infant. It is important to frequently express breast milk by hand expression or pump every 2-3 hours (starting within 2 hours post delivery) or continuing breastfeeding patterns if mother has already established breastfeeding with infant at home.
Most importantly- “Decisions about temporary separation should be made with respect to the mother’s wishes.”- CDC
Breastfeeding infant and positive for COVID
Wear a mask while in close contact with infant.
Wash you hands before and after with soap and water for 20 seconds
Expressing breast milk to provide to infant when positive for COVID.
Use individually designated pump (single used only)
Wear a face make while expressing and handling any equipment used for expression.
Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before touching equipment used for milk expression.
Have designated individual feeding expressed milk who is not COVID positive, been exposed or is at high risk.
**Key is YOU CAN BREASTFEED YOU BABY OR BABIES WITH COVID IF YOU SHALL CHOOSE.
SEEK APPROPRIATE AND SUPPORT/GUIDANCE IN HELPING YOU MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR YOURSELF, INFANT AND FAMILY. NO ONE SHOULD TELL YOU ONE WAY OR ANOTHER BUT THEY CAN EDUCATE YOU WITH CURRENT GUIDELINES AND RESEARCH AND SUPPORT YOUR CHOICE.