Can I breastfeed while sick with COVID?

Breast milk for COVID+ mothers contains protective antibodies and no live virus.

There are multiple studies being conducted on breastfeeding mothers who are COVID+. What happens to their milk? A recent multi-institutional research team led by University of Idaho found that breastfeeding women who have COVID-19 transfer milk-borne antibodies to their babies without passing along the virus.

It was a small study where researchers analyzed 37 milk samples submitted by 18 women diagnosed with COVID-19.

🦠None of the milk samples were found to contain the virus

🦠2/3 of the samples did contain two antibodies specific to the virus.

🦠The results indicate that it is safe for moms to continue to breastfeed during a COVID-19 infection with proper precautions.

If you’re actively sick with COVID and still breastfeeding:

🧼 Wash your hands before feeding your baby or pumping

😷 Wear a mask while feeding to prevent coughing directly on your baby

💧 Drink plenty of water

😴 Rest and sleep to let your body heal

💊 Taking Vitamin C, D and zinc have been found to be very beneficial