Feeding your premature baby breast milk

COVID-19: The impact on breastfeeding

Find compiled evidence from an extensive literature review and testimonies from clinicians around the world

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The value of human milk

COVID - 19: Information concerning breastfeeding mums

Having analysed milk samples from COVID-19 infected mums, there is no evidence of replication-competent virus in human milk. The presence of viral RNA in human milk is rare, and none of the milk samples tested positive for presence of active virus. Even if the milk was contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 during expressing and handling, pasteurisation inactivates the virus. These data indicate that transmission from the mum to the infant via human milk is unlikely.

Lars Bode, Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Mother-Milk-Infant Center of Research Excellence (MOMI CORE) University of California, San Diego, USA

In the course of our study we noticed that the entry of the viral RNA into milk might be transient, occurring infrequently during very small periods. Even though we have detected viral RNA in human milk, this does not mean that it is infectious. Also, I am not aware of any publication in which active virus in human milk has been confirmed

Janis Müller, PhD Institute of Molecular Virology Ulm University Medical Centre, Germany

We quickly started looking into the antibody response in milk, which is something mums really wanted to know - they would call me up to ask! We found that the vast majority of mums have a strong antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 in their breast milk and that this antibody response could neutralise the virus. This is important for mums and healthcare professionals to realise and shows the value of breastfeeding and keeping mums and babies together.

Rebecca Powell Assistant Professor Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA

During COVID-19, many new mothers were sent home from the hospital within hours of giving birth, without the necessary community and midwifery support to initiate breastfeeding. Difficulties in obtaining support can cause great stress for new mothers, and can result in many weaning rapidly.

Ann Yates Lead Midwife Advisor at International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) Regentessekwartier, South Holland Province, Netherlands

Due to COVID-19, we have seen many marked changes in maternity breastfeeding care, including restrictions for partners and visitors. This has implications for mothers’ mental health: The loneliness, stress and anxiety of the mother is a problem that needs to be addressed to protect overall public health.

Riccardo Davanzo, Neonatologist at Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Trieste, Italy

Covid-19 has emphasized the importance of supporting and providing mothers with evidence-based information and guidance on breastfeeding and whom to turn to, before, during and after childbirth.

Rebecca Powell, Assistant Professor Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn Scholl of Medicine of Mount Sinai, New York, USA

With all the changes in clinical practice, we need to empower parents with evidence-based information so they demand the appropriate support for initiation and breastfeeding in the hospital to ensure long-term adequate milk supply.

Lars Bode, Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Mother-Milk-Infant Center of Research Excellence (MOMI CORE) at the University of California, San Diego, USA

A birth itself can be overwhelming. And during COVID-19 even more so. A shorter length of stay after birth means that lactation problems manifest themselves at home. The entire medical community needs to work jointly to help mothers establish an adequate milk supply from day 1 and ensure a good transition from hospital to home.

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