Under the COVID-19 pandemic, many breastfeeding mothers have been wondering would it still safe to breastfeeding? In conjunction with breastfeeding week on 1st to 7th August 2020, BabyTalk invited Dr Vinodhini Bhaskaran from Sri Kota Specialist Medical Centre to answer our doubts.
1. Under Covid-19, is there any special guidance for breastfeeding mothers to follow?
Yes! All major organizations like CDC, WHO, and UNICEF have issued guidance on breastfeeding with COVID -19. We shall see the DO’s and DON’Ts in this article.
2. If a mother is diagnosed with COVID-19, should she continue breastfeeding?
Considering the benefits of breastfeeding and the insignificant role of breast milk in the transmission of other respiratory viruses, the mother can continue breastfeeding, while applying all the necessary precautions.
For symptomatic mothers well enough to breastfeed, this includes wearing a mask when near a child (including during feeding), washing hands before and after contact with the child (including feeding), and Cleaning/ disinfecting contaminated surfaces
If a mother is too ill, she should be encouraged to express milk and give it to the child via a clean cup and/or spoon – all while following the same infection prevention methods. Ideally, the expressed milk should be given by a healthy care provider, following the same precautions.
(Ref: UNICEF)
3. Can COVID-19 be transmitted through breast milk?
We do not know whether mothers with COVID-19 can transmit the virus via breast milk, but the limited data available suggest this is not likely to be a source of transmission.
(Ref: CDC)
4. Should mothers with COVID-19 be separated from their infants while infected with the virus?
Not necessary! There is no need to separate the baby from the mother as per WHO. However, if the baby is kept in the same room as the mother, she is advised to follow these precautions:
- Try to keep a reasonable distance (> 6 ft) away when possible.
- Wear a cloth face covering and wash hands at least for 20 seconds, whenever directly caring for the baby.
These precautions should be followed until
- She has been fever-free for 24 hours without taking any fever medicines (acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
and
- At least 10 days have passed since COVID-19 symptoms first started; and all symptoms have improved.
- If asymptomatic but test results are positive for COVID-19, wait until at least 10 days after the positive test result.
5. If a mother confirmed/suspected to have COVID-19 is not able to breastfeed what is the best way to feed her newborn /infant?
Most women with confirmed/ suspected COVID-19 would be able to breastfeed either directly or with expressed breast milk through a health care provider. However, if the mother is too ill to breastfeed or express, alternative methods like formula feeding, wet nursing can be used temporarily and breastfeeding should be re-initiated as soon as the mother recovers.
6. If the mother has confirmed or suspected COVID-19, is it safer to give her baby infant formula milk?
No! UNICEF states that breastfeeding is the safest, most reliable method of infant feeding in an emergency. Also, there’s a risk that COVID-19 can spread through formula manufacturing factories and delivery warehouses, together with the supply chain interruption if these factories and warehouses need to shut down.
Considering the benefits of breastfeeding and the current evidence of the insignificant role of breast milk in the transmission of other respiratory viruses, as stated by UNICEF, the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, WHO and the CDC, it is safer to breastfeed.
7. What are the hygiene recommendations for a breastfeeding mother confirmed/suspected to have COVID-19?
If you have COVID-19 and choose to breastfeed:
- Wear a mask while breastfeeding and wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before each feeding.
If you have COVID-19 and choose to express breast milk:
- Use a dedicated breast pump (not shared).
- Wear a mask during expression and wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before touching any pump or bottle parts and before expressing breast milk.
- Clean the pump thoroughly, taking care to include all the parts that come into contact with breast milk.
- If possible, expressed breast milk should be fed to the infant by a healthy caregiver who does not have COVID-19, is not at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19, and is living in the same home.
(Ref: CDC)
Article by:
Dr Vinodhini Bhaskaran
O&G Specialist at Sri Kota Specialist Medical Centre
