Breastfeeding and COVID
For some of us around the globe; the COVID-19 pandemic = a Netflix + Chill vibe.
But when you add the words pregnancy and breastfeeding into the pandemic mix, it kind of kills the chilled vibe and ups the ante on the uncertainty.
So if you are a pregnant or breastfeeding mum out there, unsure about what your actions should be or need to be to keep yourself and your baby safe at the moment, you are not alone. Studies show that for many new mothers, concerns around safety of breastfeeding if they contract COVID and questions as to the risks & benefits of the COVID vaccine for mums and bubs are running high.
The decision to vaccinate yourself (and your +1), or not, no doubt is a difficult one. Whilst research is ongoing, studies indicate that both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines given in any stage of pregnancy are safe for both mother and baby, with no known increase in risk to fetal wellbeing or development.
Babies are very vulnerable to infection in the early weeks and months so preventing risks associated with transmission of disease and illness is paramount. Whilst we now know the “Top 3”; stay home if unwell, wear a mask and use hand hygiene, the big slam dunk of getting vaxxed in pregnancy is the extra antibody protection you passively pass to your baby via the placenta - offering bubs some level of protection against covid-19 once they vacate the womb-room.
If you do have to delay getting vaccinated during pregnancy for medical or other reasons, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have also been shown to be safe to administer during breastfeeding. Several small studies have indicated that COVID-19 antibodies produced by the mother do pass through breast milk, offering some level of protection for the breastfeeding baby. You do not need to stop breastfeeding before or after getting the COVID vaccination.
In the event you do contract coronavirus and are breastfeeding, it is safe to continue to breastfeed, or give baby expressed breastmilk, if you are well enough to do so and it is something you wish to continue. To date, we have found that COVID-19 virus does NOT pass into breast milk. However mothers can infect their babies with the virus via close contact; breathing, coughing or sneezing on your baby. For this reason it is recommended that covid positive mothers limit close contact with baby, use appropriate hand hygiene and wear a mask whilst breastfeeding. If you have any concerns about your baby’s health whilst breastfeeding with COVID-19 it is advised to contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Whatever your concerns may be about breastfeeding and COVID-19, please inform yourself with evidenced-based information and talk with your trusted healthcare practitioner. Facebook is not a source of reliable medical information FYI.
Check out the links below if you want to look into the research more.
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