While this may be a stressful time, try to stay optimistic and practice healthy habits to reduce stress as much as possible. Medications are safe to take while breastfeeding, but always check with your doctor. Frequent pumping (or breastfeeding if you have chosen to directly breastfeed and are following the strict precautions noted above) should line up with your infant's feeding demands, about 8-10 times in a 24-hour period. Hand pumping and hand expressing breast milk is especially helpful in the first few days after your baby is born to get the milk supply going. How can I maintain my milk supply if I am sick with COVID-19? If you tested positive but have no symptoms, wait until at least 10 days after the positive test result. Wear a face mask and wash your hands whenever you directly care for your baby.Ĭontinue taking these precautions until you have been fever-free for 24 hours without taking any fever medicines (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) at least 10 days have passed since your COVID-19 symptoms first started and all your symptoms have improved. If you and your family decide to keep your baby in the same room as you, try to keep a reasonable distance away when possible. If I have COVID-19, can I stay in the same room with my infant? Remember to clean your breast pump after each use, following Remind all caregivers to wash their hands well before touching bottles, feeding, or caring for your baby. The expressed milk can be fed to your baby by a healthy caregiver. Express milk as often as your baby eats, or at least 6 to 8 times per 24 hours. Put on a face mask, wash your hands well, and clean any pump parts, bottles, and artificial nipples. Holding your baby skin-to-skin helps the baby latch on and helps trigger milk release. Wash your hands with soap and water before holding the baby and wear a face mask while nursing. The breast milk is safe and important for the baby.ĭirect breastfeeding. Yes, babies can still receive breast milk even if you test positive for COVID-19. How can I keep my baby safe while breastfeeding if I have COVID-19? Breastfeeding has been shown to be safe when a mom has other viral illnesses like influenza. So far infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus has not been found in breastmilk. People without symptoms of or confirmed COVID-19, who have not been in close contact with someone with COVID, do not need to take special precautions. SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19 disease) spreads during close contact between people when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. What if I am not fully vaccinated and want to breastfeed my baby? More studies are needed to determine how these antibodies protect the baby. Recent studies demonstrated COVID-19 mRNA vaccine antibodies in the breastmilk of vaccinated lactating mothers, which can potentially pass along protection to the breastfed infant. Many lactating people have received the COVID-19 vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing a mask.Ĭan I get vaccinated while breastfeeding?ĬOVID-19 vaccines are considered safe for breastfeeding mothers and babies. However, if you have symptoms of COVID or have had close contact with someone who has the illness, the U.S. If you’re fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you do not need to take any special precautions when feeding your baby at the breast or expressing milk. Public health emergencies, when it can be more challenging to buy formula and other feeding supplies.ĭo I need to take extra precautions while breastfeeding if I'm vaccinated against COVID? No purchase necessary! This can be important during Hormones released in the mother's body during breastfeeding promote wellness and can relieve stress and anxiety.īreast milk is readily available. In addition, breastfed infants are generally less likely to have severe respiratory symptoms when they get sick.īreastfeeding is good for moms. However, several studies have found antibodies that target the virus in human milk. It is not proven that breastmilk protects babies from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. You can even breastfeed if you test positive for COVID-19 or are not fully vaccinated, as long as you take extra safety precautions to protect your baby.īenefits of breastfeeding during a pandemic By: Temitope Awelewa, MBCHB, MPH, FAAP, IBCLCīreastfeeding can offer many perks, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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