Breastfeeding and COVID-19
Breastfeeding is the cornerstone of infant and young child survival, nutrition and development and maternal health. The World Health Organization recommends continuing breastfeeding during COVID-19 infection and after vaccination. Breastfeeding has many advantages for mother and child and does not need to be discontinued during COVID-19 infection nor following vaccination of the mother. The virus that causes COVID-19 has not been detected in breastmilk, according to a limited number of studies to date, indicating that it is safe to carry on breastfeeding, while taking recommended precautions, even if a mother develops COVID-19.
COVID-19 vaccines are also recommended to breastfeeding women since there is no plausible mechanism by which any vaccine ingredient could pass to your baby through breast milk. Breastfeeding mothers are therefore encouraged not to stop breastfeeding so as to get covid 19 vaccine. Children appear to be at low risk of COVID-19 with those contracting the disease having only mild symptoms. Mothers should therefore be counselled that the benefits of breastfeeding substantially outweigh the potential risks for transmission.
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