Breastfeeding Safety if You Have Coronavirus

If you are breastfeeding and you become ill with Coronavirus, there are precautions you can take to prevent passing on the virus onto your child. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), you should breastfeed with COVID-19 when you follow these safety precautions:

• Wear a face mask 
• Wash hands before and after touching/holding your baby
• Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces

If you are too sick to breastfeed, encourage your support person/partner/spouse to help feed your baby by:

• Expressed/pumped breast milk
• Donor human milk
• Relactation when you are feeling well

If you have Coronavirus (COVID-19), you should be encouraged to breastfeed safely, hold your baby skin to skin, and room share with your baby. 

For more information on breastfeeding safety and COVID-19, visit the World Health Organization website. 

Published: March 25, 2020

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