Since the beginning of the COVID19 outbreak, we have been bombarded with information, misinformation, and contradictions regarding how the viral infection is transmitted and how we can protect ourselves and others from exposure. Like most conversations surrounding COVID19, breastfeeding hasn’t been exempt from some controversy.

Although some medical professionals have insisted that babies born to women who have tested positive for COVID19 should be separated immediately after birth, the World Health Organization adamantly disagrees. In fact, the WHO’s recommendations for such instances are that mothers should be supported to safely breastfeed, allowed to hold her newborn, encouraged to engage in skin to skin and be able to share a room with her baby.

On the contrary, the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention is now pushing the possibility of separating babies from their COVID19+ mothers to reduce the risk of transmission. The CDC suggests that this separation could last anywhere from 72 hours to a staggering 14 days, depending on the mother’s symptoms and speed of recovery. This decision, however, would ultimately affect the breastfeeding outcome and comes with its own set of possible detriments. Such decisions are, as of now, to be made between the mother and her medical provider.

Although breastfeeding with COVID19 may seem daunting, in a WHO Q&A segment on COVID19 and pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, when asked if women with COVID19 can breastfeed, the answer was a short and resounding: yes.

They also, however, recommend that mothers in such circumstances should practice respiratory hygiene or wear masks if available, wash hands before and after contact, and regularly clean and disinfect all touched surfaces to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus.

While much is still unknown about COVID19 and how it is transmitted to others, based on what we know about breastfeeding and coronavirus thus far, it seems as though the benefits and immune-modulating properties of breastmilk, when extra precautions are taken, still outweigh the risk of transmission.

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The Latched Mama blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Content from the Latched Mama blog is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. The information provided on this blog is intended for general consumer understanding and entertainment only; with experiences shared from Mom to Mom. The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. ***Please contact your family pediatrician to discuss professional medical advice.***