So far, there is no evidence of mothers passing on COVID-19 to babies through breastmilk.
Breastfeeding is very effective against infectious diseases. It strengthens your baby's infection-fighting system (immune system).
Breastfeeding protects babies from getting sick. It also helps protect them right through infancy and childhood. Breastfeeding is very effective against infectious diseases because it strengthens your baby's infection-fighting system (immune system). Breastfeeding directly transfers antibodies from you to your baby.
Yes, you can breastfeed if you have confirmed or suspected COVID-19. Continuing to breastfeed benefits your baby.
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:
Precautions:
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).
Your baby will also be considered a 'close contact' and your public health unit will give you more advice.
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 after possible exposure to COVID-19, keep your baby with you so you can keep breastfeeding.
Wash your hands before touching your baby, avoid touching their face and coughing or sneezing on them.
If you have COVID-19, staff in your maternity unit will talk with you about your options straight after birth. They will involve you in shared decision-making.
Yes. Close contact and early, exclusive breastfeeding will help your baby to thrive. Your care providers should support you to:
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 have COVID-19, it's best you stay at least 48 hours after birth in the maternity unit. But, if you are well, you may be able to go home and receive care from your midwife.
Your stay in the maternity unit will be longer if:
If you become quite unwell and need to transfer to a medical area or intensive care unit for your own treatment, the best option is for your baby to be with a well family member. If you are well enough to do so, you can still express breastmilk for your baby.
If you are still receiving care from your midwife, she 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. In-person consultations are unlikely during the COVID-19 pandemic but online consultations are available. You will find this information at the bottom of the College of Midwives frequently asked questions for pregnant women and whānau [5]. You can also call PlunketLine on 0800 933 922.
Yes, in some circumstances women can start breastfeeding again, either fully or partially - this is called relactation. It depends on a number of factors 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. The more often your baby suckles at your breast, the more likely your breasts will make milk. You will need to make sure you:
Talk to your midwife or Well Child nurse, or call PlunketLine on 0800 933 922 for more information on re-establishing your breastmilk supply if this is something you would like to do.
You can also find more information about relactation at the Australian Breastfeeding Association website [6] and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (UK) website [7].
The content on this page is supported by The New Zealand College of Midwives.
https://www.starship.org.nz/guidelines/neonatal-recommendations-for-covid-19/ [9]
https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/COVID-19/ [11]
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/pregnancy-breastfeeding.html [12]
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/pregnancy-breastfeeding.html [13]
https://www.midwife.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/FAQs-for-Feeding.pdf [5]
This page last reviewed 11 June 2020.
Email us [15] your feedback
Links
[1] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/sites/kidshealth/files/images/breastfeed_to_protect_your_children_and_infants%20large.jpg
[2] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/sites/kidshealth/files/images/EUR017gXQAEPOu8%20%281%29.jpg
[3] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/sites/kidshealth/files/images/Exclusvie%20breastfeding.png
[4] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/sites/kidshealth/files/images/express_milk_if_ill_with_covid_19.jpg
[5] https://www.midwife.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/FAQs-for-Feeding.pdf
[6] https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/relactation-and-induced-lactation
[7] https://abm.me.uk/breastfeeding-information/relactation/
[8] https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-information-specific-audiences/covid-19-breastfeeding-advice-pregnant-women-or-those-who-have-recently-given-birth
[9] https://www.starship.org.nz/guidelines/neonatal-recommendations-for-covid-19/
[10] https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/covid-19-virus-infection-and-pregnancy/
[11] https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/COVID-19/
[12] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/pregnancy-breastfeeding.html
[13] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/pregnancy-breastfeeding.html
[14] http://www.emro.who.int/nutrition/nutrition-infocus/breastfeeding-advice-during-covid-19-outbreak.html
[15] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F2476