If you are breastfeeding or giving breastmilk to your baby, and have been diagnosed with COVID-19, deemed a close contact, or have recovered from the virus, the Women's advises you to continue to breastfeed unless you are feeling too unwell.
Coronavirus does not seem to spread to babies through breast milk. It's safe to breastfeed if you have COVID-19.
We showed a positive correlation between SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels in serum and in human milk, in line with previous studies (Demers-Mathieu et al., 2021, Gonçalves et al., 2021, Whited and Cervantes, 2022). Furthermore, in our study antibodies persisted in breast milk up to 300 days.
As long as the skin of the breast is not involved, no risk for transmission exists via breast milk. No toxin-mediated disease from toxin transmitted through breast milk has been reported in an infant.
Routinely clean and disinfect any surfaces you touch. If you are severely ill with COVID-19 or suffer from other complications that prevent you from caring for your infant or continuing direct breastfeeding, express milk to safely provide breastmilk to your infant.
Currently, there is no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 transmission through breast milk. Studies are needed with longer follow-up periods that collect data on infant feeding practices and on viral presence in breast milk.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization also recommend exclusive breastfeeding for about the first 6 months, with continued breastfeeding along with introducing appropriate complementary foods for up to 2 years of age or longer.
Breast milk antibodies help protect a baby from illness. Breastfeeding has health benefits for both babies and mothers. Breast milk provides a baby with ideal nutrition and supports growth and development. Breastfeeding can also help protect baby and mom against certain illnesses and diseases.
Three viruses (CMV, HIV, and HTLV-I) frequently cause infection or disease as a result of breast-milk transmission.
None of the COVID-19 vaccines contain live virus. Vaccines are effective at preventing COVID-19 in people who are breastfeeding. Recent reports have shown that breastfeeding people who have received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have antibodies in their breastmilk, which could help protect their babies.
If you become severely sick with COVID-19, you may be contagious for longer than those who are mildly ill. If you were very sick from COVID, isolate for at least 10 full days after your symptoms start.
By the 10th day after COVID symptoms begin, most people will no longer be contagious, as long as their symptoms have continued to improve and their fever has resolved. People who test positive for the virus but never develop symptoms over the following 10 days after testing are also probably no longer contagious.
Breast milk contains all the nutrients that an infant needs in the first 6 months of life, including fat, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water (1,2,3,4). It is easily digested and efficiently used.
When someone who is sick coughs, sneezes or talks, he or she might directly spread the virus to your baby. Direct contact. Someone with a cold who touches your baby's hand can spread the cold virus to your baby, who can become infected after touching his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
Still, you can avoid passing on germs by washing your hands frequently and avoiding sneezing or coughing near your baby. (I know, easier said than done.) And if you are breastfeeding, your breastmilk has excellent antibodies to reduce the risk of your child getting sick.
Breastfeeding also improves positive metabolic outcomes in mothers (21–23). Breast milk is a source of bioactive molecules, bacteria, and immune cells (8–10, 19).
Breastmilk in the first year
Breastmilk contains all the nourishment needed to promote normal healthy growth and development in babies in their first 6 months of life and remains the most important food during their first year.
Myth: Babies who have been breastfed are clingy.
All babies are different. Some are clingy and some are not, no matter how they are fed. Breastfeeding provides not only the best nutrition for infants, but is also important for their developing brain.
In the US, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and to continue for at least 12 months5.
If you have COVID-19 (coronavirus) and you are caring for your baby, you should continue to breastfeed as normal. There is no evidence that the virus passes through breast milk.
mRNA has not been detected in the serum of any breastfed infants.
During the last 3 months of pregnancy, antibodies from mothers are passed to their unborn babies through the placenta. This type of immunity is called passive immunity because the baby has been given antibodies rather than making them itself.
If you have a cold or flu, fever, diarrhoea and vomiting, or mastitis, keep breastfeeding as normal. Your baby won't catch the illness through your breast milk – in fact, it will contain antibodies to reduce her risk of getting the same bug. “Not only is it safe, breastfeeding while sick is a good idea.
Breastfeeding Also Provides Ongoing Protection
During the months 6 -12 and beyond you've probably already realised that babies are much more active and will try to put everything in their mouth! Your breastmilk is still jam-packed with protection and antibodies, even after 6 months.