©Every Mother, Inc. and Regina Maria Roig-Romero. All Rights Reserved.
Supporting Breastfeeding During COVID-19
Breastfeeding matters! And it has never mattered more than it does today while we journey together through the COVID-19 pandemic. Consider this:
-Exclusive breastfeeding helps a newborn set up a strong immune system.
-It helps the baby establish a healthy microbiome to help that immune system mature.
-Human milk has more than 100,000 constituents - including antibodies that neutralize and destroy germs and bacteria the baby has been exposed to. It even has molecular compounds that are lethal to 40 different types of cancer cells!
-The CDC reports that it is not likely that mothers spread coronavirus through their breast milk.
-The World Health Organization agrees and says mothers should breastfeed!
-Recent studies have found that some COVID-positive mothers had antibodies to coronavirus in their milk.
-Mothers who breastfeed also enjoy important health advantages - including lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
If you’re pregnant, it’s not likely you will expose your baby to COVID-19. But you can still get the virus yourself. So take precautions so you can stay healthy all through your pregnancy and after birth.
If you’re a new mom who tests positive for COVID-19, take precautions to avoid exposing your baby. Wear a mask, wash your hands before and after handling the baby, and keep your breast pump and other things you touch in your home sanitary. The CDC website has great handouts in English and Spanish for how to keep your breast pump clean! And...always talk with your healthcare provider when you have questions about the safety of breastfeeding with COVID-19.
Here are a couple of great videos from the CHEERing team for new parents during the COVID-19 pandemic:
How to Wear Your Mask Properly (click for video)
Infant Feeding During Emergency Situations (click for video)
