Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and COVID-19
COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the Coronavirus, is a new disease. We are still learning about its severity, how it spreads, and who is at most risk. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, naturally, are concerned about what it means for them and their babies.
While much is still unknown about the virus, what we do know about this virus is reassuring for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Pregnancy
According to preliminary studies, it does not appear that pregnant moms can pass COVID-19 to their babies in utero. Babies born to moms with COVID-19 have not tested positive for the virus at birth. Additionally, a small study published in The Lancet, following cases of 9 pregnant women from early in the outbreak, showed their symptoms were mild to moderate, none of the women developed severe complications, none died, and their babies were generally healthy.
“Based on the data we have so far, it seems that, for some reason, women – including pregnant women – experience less severe infection than men.”
Pregnant women do still tend to be more susceptible to respiratory illnesses, including pneumonia, especially if they have pregnancy complications or chronic conditions. That said, pregnant women don’t seem to be at higher risk of contracting COVID-19. Regardless, protect your health and the people around you by washing your hands often and well, staying away from anyone who’s showing signs of illness, and contacting your doctor at the first sign of any symptom.
Related: Embrace Real Food for Pregnancy
Should you continue to visit your doctor for prenatal care? You don’t want to neglect your baby’s or your own health, so it can be hard to know what to do. Contact your doctor’s office to see what safety precautions they’re taking and what they recommend for you. Many doctors are shifting to more telemedicine appointments, so you may have the option of having a virtual visit.
Breastfeeding
So, what are the recommendations for breastfeeding moms who are showing symptoms or are confirmed to have COVID-19? The CDC has published Interim Guidance on Breastfeeding for a Mother Confirmed or Under Investigation For COVID-19 based on what is currently known about COVID-19 and the transmission of other viral respiratory infections. The CDC will continue to update the guidelines as additional information becomes available, so reading and following those instructions is a great place to start.
“Bottom line: with the rare exception of a severe infection in mom, breastfeeding is recommended, even if mom has COVID-19.”
COVID-19 has not been detected in the breast milk of mothers with confirmed cases of the virus. Currently, the primary concern is not whether the virus can be transmitted through breast milk, but whether an infected mother can transmit the virus through respiratory droplets while breastfeeding.
If you have confirmed COVID-19 or you’re showing symptoms, the most important thing you can do is take precautions to avoid spreading the virus to your baby. Wash your hands before touching your baby, and wear a face mask (if possible) while breastfeeding. If you express your breast milk, wash your hands before touching any pump or bottle parts and properly clean and disinfect the pump and its parts after each use. You’re probably doing these things already! Plus, if you have COVID-19, consider having someone who is uninfected feed your baby expressed milk with a bottle.
If you’re well now and are able to pump, it’s a good idea to ‘stockpile’ some breast milk and freeze it, in the event you do contract the virus. That way, you’ll have breast milk set aside and ready in case you need or want help feeding your baby while you’re unwell.
Learn more about COVID-19, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding from Dr. Aviva Romm.