If you are breastfeeding your baby and concerned about Covid-19 (coronavirus) here are some important things to know and do.
Remember to wash your hands before you feed your baby. The best protection is to continue with regular good hygiene habits.
As far as we know, the virus is NOT spread via breastmilk, previous viruses (like SARS) have not been found to be spread via breastmilk. Covid-19 is spread by respiratory droplets.
Your breastmilk provides protection against many illnesses.
It is recommended, that if you are breastfeeding, you should continue to breastfeed your baby.
If you are unwell and/or have decided to express breastmilk for your baby, ensure you follow all regular hygiene guidelines, wash and sterilise bottles carefully, ensure your babies caregivers regularly wash their hands while handling any feeding equipment and again before feeding or holding your baby.
If you are very unwell, you might consider having another caregiver feed your baby your expressed breastmilk during this time.
More information is available at Pregnancy, birth and COVID-19
