The Issue of COVID-19 and Breastfeeding

Review the current WHO recommendations regarding breastfeeding and COVID-19. How would you answer your patient’s question regarding whether or not her baby can contract COVID-19 if she chooses to breastfeed (consider a mother who is diagnosed with COVID-19 infection, as well as a woman who may be asymptomatic)? What advice would you give to minimize the risk of transmission?

Identify one concept regarding breastfeeding and COVID-19 transmission that is poorly misunderstood – how would you explain this (in laymen’s terms) to a new mother and family? What further research is required? How might the COVID-19 pandemic impact your postpartum mother’s psychosocial well-being, and what supports might be recommended to optimize maternal and newborn health during this time?