Key points about COVID-19 and breastfeeding
- breastfeeding protects pēpi (babies) from getting sick and helps protect them throughout their infancy and childhood
- breastfeeding is very effective against infectious diseases - it strengthens a babies' immune system
- breastfeeding directly transfers antibodies from mother to baby
- if you have COVID-19, you can still breastfeed your baby
- there is no evidence that COVID-19 can be passed to pēpi through breastfeeding and breastmilk
- take precautions if you are breastfeeding and you have COVID-19 (confirmed or suspected)
- mother to baby skin-to-skin care after birth, early initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, and mother-baby rooming-in are still recommended practices
There is no evidence of mothers passing on COVID-19 to babies through breastfeeding or through breastmilk.
COVID-19 immunisation and breastfeeding
If you're breastfeeding and haven't had the COVID-19 vaccine already, you can make a booking now. There are no safety concerns about getting the COVID-19 vaccine if you're breastfeeding.
COVID-19 Vaccination & Breastfeeding
How breastfeeding can protect your baby from infectious diseases
Breastfeeding is very effective at protecting against infectious diseases. It strengthens your baby's immune system.
Breastfeeding protects your baby from getting sick. It also helps protect them right through infancy and childhood. Breastfeeding is very effective in protecting against infectious diseases. It strengthens your baby's immune system. Breastfeeding directly transfers antibodies from you to your baby.
Breastfeeding your baby while you have COVID-19
You can breastfeed if you have confirmed or suspected COVID-19. Continuing to breastfeed benefits the health of you and your baby.
Precautions to take if you're breastfeeding you have COVID-19
Take precautions if you are breastfeeding and you have confirmed or suspected COVID-19, or any symptoms of COVID-19.
Make sure you take precautions if you are breastfeeding or practising skin-to-skin contact with your baby, and you have either:
- confirmed or suspected COVID-19
- any symptoms of COVID-19
Precautions
- wash hands before and after contact with baby (including feeding)
- wear a surgical mask during breastfeeds
- avoid coughing or sneezing on baby
- avoid kissing and touching your baby's face, and your own face
- clean and disinfect any surfaces you touch
If you become unwell and you are breastfeeding your baby, keep breastfeeding. It's important not to interrupt breastfeeding. Your baby will already have had exposure to COVID-19 and will benefit from continued breastfeeding.
If you are too unwell to breastfeed, express your milk and give it to your baby by bottle (taking the same precautions).
Breastfeeding while in self-isolation
Exclusive breastfeeding gives the best protection for babies, so if your baby is less than 6 months old, aim for exclusive breastfeeding. This means only breastfeeding and not feeding any other sorts of food until 6 months. Even if your baby is older than 6 months, remaining with you and continuing your breastfeeding relationship is good for both of you.
Other countries (such as Italy and the UK) report that babies usually stay well if they stay with a mother who has mild COVID-19 symptoms and who takes precautions around breastfeeding.
If you are in self-isolation, keep your baby with you so you can keep breastfeeding.
Wash your hands before touching your baby, and avoid touching their face and coughing or sneezing on them.
COVID-19 Positive & Caring For A Newborn
How to get help with breastfeeding if you need it
If you are still receiving care from your midwife, they will support you with feeding and can answer your questions. If your midwifery care has finished and you have some breastfeeding concerns or need support or information, there are options available.
How can I get a breastfeeding assessment?
If you are worried about how your baby is feeding, ask to have a breastfeeding assessment.
Your midwife can observe a breastfeed and if necessary, can refer you to a lactation consultant for further assessment. A lactation consultant is a professionally trained breastfeeding specialist.
The referral process will vary across the country, and your midwife will know who to refer you to in your area.
Breastfeeding support
You can find available breastfeeding support in your region on the Women's Health Action website.
You can talk to a PlunketLine nurse on 0800 933 922. Calls are free and PlunketLine is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They'll do an assessment and can book you an online appointment with one of Plunket's lactation consultants.
These breastfeeding consultations are free and available for all breastfeeding women - even if Plunket isn't your WellChild Tamariki Ora provider.
Check out SmartStart to find breastfeeding support services in your area.
Starting to breastfeed again if you've recently stopped
In some circumstances, women can start breastfeeding again, either fully or partially - this is called relactation. It depends on things such as when you stopped breastfeeding your baby, the reason why you stopped breastfeeding, your baby's age, and your baby's willingness to return to your breast.
The easiest way to bring back a milk supply is through your baby suckling at your breast, although expressing breastmilk will likely also be necessary. The more often your baby suckles at your breast, the more likely your breasts will make milk. You will need to make sure you:
- offer your breast very frequently
- stay hydrated and eat a healthy diet to ensure you stay well and better able to manage the increased breastfeeding activity
- rest as much as possible
For more information on re-establishing your breastmilk supply, you can:
- - talk to your midwife or Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse
- - call PlunketLine on 0800 933 922
- - visit the Australian Breastfeeding Association website
- - visit the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (UK) website
The content on this page is supported by Te Kāreti o ngā Kaiwhakawhānau ki Aotearoa | The New Zealand College of Midwives.
