Covid-19

Yes. There is a wealth of evidence that breastfeeding reduces the risk of babies developing infectious diseases. There are numerous live constituents in human milk, including immunoglobulins, antiviral factors, cytokines and leucocytes that help to destroy harmful pathogens and boost the baby’s immune system. There is currently no evidence that Covid-19 can be passed to the baby through breastfeeding. There is also evidence that mothers with Covid-19 pass their antibodies to their baby through breastmilk, thereby giving protection to their baby. Considering the protection that human milk and breastfeeding offers the baby and the minimal role it plays in the transmission of other respiratory viruses, it is important that we do all we can to continue to promote, protect and support breastfeeding. To facilitate breastfeeding, mothers and babies should be enabled to stay together as much as possible, to have skin-to-skin contact, to feed their baby responsively and to have access to ongoing support when this is needed.

Yes, touch, comfort and communication are vital for the baby’s wellbeing and development (see N. Rollins, 2021). Good hygiene habits are important and will keep the risks to baby as low as possible (see question 4 below). It is also useful to refer to the practical information provided by the UK governments and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Mothers should be supported to safely provide breastmilk in a way that is possible, available and acceptable to them. Consider breastmilk expression by hand/pump and give via a suitable alternative method (see responsive and paced bottle feeding). Maximising breastmilk is important during this time. When the mother is feeling better, encourage skin-to-skin contact and return to full breastfeeding where possible.

Yes. Re-lactation is generally possible and worth trying even if a return to full breastfeeding is not always achievable. Help can be found on the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly guide to maximising breastmilk and supporting re-lactation.

Yes. Breastmilk is essential for sick and preterm babies as it significantly reduces the risk of serious complications both in the short and long term. Mother’s own milk should always be the first choice as this is responsive to the mother and the baby’s environment. Mothers should be supported to express as soon as possible after birth (ideally within 2 hours) and thereafter at least 8-10 times in 24 hours, including at night.

When babies are being cared for on a postnatal ward neonatal unit, parents can be asked to wear a mask when entering and moving around the unit. However, providing that they are asymptomatic, steps should be taken to enable them to interact with their babies without wearing a mask.

Early attachment between the mother (and/or other parent) and baby is critically important for the baby’s wellbeing and development. It is important to support new mothers to keep their babies close to them so that they can respond instinctively through gazing, stroking and talking. Infant cues such as smiling, crying or other facial expressions are powerful motivators of maternal behaviour, helping the mother to communicate and form attachments with the baby. In response, the baby learns to recognise the mother’s face, posture, tone of voice and to form a secure attachment. The baby’s brain grows rapidly from birth and at one year will have developed 70 per cent of its ‘wiring’ for the future and 90 per cent by age three. The development of positive neural pathways is significantly impacted by early parent-infant relationships.

Yes. All pregnant women and new mothers, including breastfeeding mothers, are advised to be vaccinated against Covid-19 as part of the mass vaccination programme.