Can mothers with Covid-19 breastfeed?

The World Health Organization (WHO) on August 5 recommended that mothers with Covid-19 can still breastfeed.

WHO believes that transmission of nCoV through breast milk and through breastfeeding has not been detected. Therefore, there is no reason not to or stop breastfeeding.

In places where Covid-19 is circulating, should babies be breastfed?

Yes. In all socio-economic settings, breastfeeding improves survival and provides many health and developmental benefits throughout life for infants/children small. Breastfeeding also improves maternal health.

After birth, should the baby be placed skin-to-skin immediately and breastfed if the mother is confirmed or suspected to have Covid-19?

Yes. Immediate and continuous skin-to-skin contact, including kangaroo care, is intended to improve the infant's temperature control. This enhances infant survival. Placing the infant close to the mother also helps the infant to be breastfed earlier, leading to a lower mortality rate.

The benefits of skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding fundamentally outweigh the possible risks of transmission and illness associated with Covid-19.

Should a mother who is confirmed or suspected to have Covid-19 breastfeed her baby?

Yes. A mother with or suspected of having Covid-19 can breastfeed her baby if she wishes.

In addition, the mother should do the following: Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before touching the baby; wear a medical mask whenever in contact with the baby, including while breastfeeding; sneeze or cough into a tissue, then discard the tissue immediately and wash your hands; regularly clean and disinfect surfaces that the mother has touched.

It is important to change the surgical mask as soon as it becomes wet and immediately dispose of it in a covered trash can. Medical masks should not be reused or touched the front of the mask.

If the mother is confirmed or suspected to have Covid-19 without a medical mask, should the baby be breastfed?

Yes. Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce infant and young child mortality, and has many benefits in terms of health and brain development throughout a child's life.

Mothers with symptoms of Covid-19 should wear a medical mask, but even without a medical mask, they should continue to breastfeed their babies. Mothers should follow other infection prevention measures, such as washing hands, disinfecting contact surfaces, and using tissue to cover their mouths when sneezing or coughing.

Respirators other than medical masks (e.g. homemade or cloth masks) have not been evaluated. At this time, we cannot make recommendations on whether or not to use these masks.

I am confirmed or suspected to have Covid-19 and feel unwell to breastfeed my baby directly. What should I do?

If you are not feeling well to breastfeed your baby due to Covid-19 or other complications, you need support to provide milk in the safest, most readily available way possible, and you can do so. can now.

The methods are: Expressing breast milk, banking breast milk. If expressing breast milk or a breast milk bank is not feasible, consider "assisted feeding" (breastfeeding with another mother's milk) or infant formula along with other measures to ensure the safety of the infant. feasible, correct, safe and sustainable.

I have been confirmed or suspected to have Covid-19 and cannot breastfeed, when can I start breastfeeding again?

You can start breastfeeding as soon as you feel healthy enough to do so. There is no fixed waiting period after confirmed or suspected Covid-19. There is no evidence that breastfeeding alters the clinical course of mothers with Covid-19. Your healthcare provider or lactation consultant needs help getting you to breastfeed again.

I have been confirmed or suspected to have Covid-19, is it safer to give my baby formula?

Are not. There are always risks associated with formula feeding infants and young children in any setting. The risks associated with formula feeding are increased if the circumstances of the family and the community are limited, for example where access to health services is limited and the infant is unwell. Access to clean water and/or access to infant formula is difficult or uncertain in terms of price and sustainability.

The benefits of breastfeeding fundamentally outweigh the possible risk of infection and illness related to Covid-19.

Can breastfeeding women get the Covid-19 vaccine?

Yes, breastfeeding women can get the Covid-19 vaccine if a vaccine is available. Some evidence suggests that, after vaccination, antibodies are found in breast milk, which may help protect babies against Covid-19.