The amount of online information about COVID-19 can feel overwhelming as we try to keep up-to-date with good and reliable information. It can be a frustrating and confusing experience since advice may vary from source to source, and we are still discovering new information about how this disease evolves and affects newborns and breastfeeding women.
If I have SARS-CoV-2, is it safe to continue breastfeeding?
If you have COVID-19 and you are breastfeeding your baby, you should continue to breastfeed normally while incorporating important safety measures such as wearing a face mask while holding your baby. Take precautions but don’t interrupt your breastfeeding routine as it is essential for your baby’s health. Nutrients found in breast milk provide lifelong health benefits to newborns and infants.
Scientists have discovered that there’s no presence of SARS-CoV-2 in breast milk that COVID-19 infected mom’s produce, eliminating the possibility of transmission through breastfeeding. Although COVID-19 cannot be found in your milk supply, antibodies to fight COVID-19 are present and can be passed through, giving your baby a stronger barrier to protect them. So yes, it is safe to continue breastfeeding while wearing a face mask even if you have COVID-19.
3 additional safety measures to always consider:
It is important to take as many safety measures as you can. If anyone in your household is sick, you can take extra care to protect your baby by putting into practice the 3 W’s, which are:
- Wash your hands constantly, especially before and after touching your baby.
- Wear a face mask during the whole breastfeeding process or when you are holding or near your baby.
- Wipe and disinfect surfaces regularly – including your breast pump and bottle parts before and after each use.
Try to limit close face-to-face contact with your baby. When you are not feeding your child, try to keep a healthy distance of at least 6 feet away from your baby. Don’t forget to consult your family doctor since their insight on how to breastfeed safely can be helpful.
Covid vaccine and breastfeeding
According to the CDC, it is recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding women get vaccinated against COVID-19, including getting a booster shot if the possibility is available, as there is no evidence that suggests that vaccines cause any harm to breastfed infants or mothers. Getting a covid vaccine and breastfeeding during the same period will protect you and your baby, as some of the protection from a vaccine can be passed through breast milk.
If you are considering getting a covid vaccine and breastfeeding, side effects from the shot should not vary from what other people may experience, which could be:
- Pain and swelling at the site of injection
- Tiredness
- Headaches
- Muscle pain
- Fever
- Nausea
If you start feeling unwell due to the vaccine side effects, contact your doctor or a lactation consultant to seek their recommendation.
The bottom line
If you are sick with SARS-CoV-2, continue to breastfeed your baby, as the benefits are more significant than the chances of transmitting the disease when safety measures are being taken. Getting a covid vaccine while pregnant or breastfeeding is recommended, and at this time, there has been no evidence that the quantity or quality of your milk supply will be altered.
Remember to call your doctor right away if your baby has a fever or seems sick, especially if you have been ill with COVID-19 and have symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle pain
- Headaches
- Loss of taste or smell
- Tiredness
For the best up-to-date information related to this disease, check the websites of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). To find the nearest locations to get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster, search the official site, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233.
Remember to follow Breastfeeding 101 to get more information on different topics concerning a safe and illness free lactation process.
Kristen Howorko
