Date of Document: April 2, 2020
American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Fetus and Newborn, Section on Neonatal
Perinatal Medicine, and Committee on Infectious Diseases
Karen M. Puopolo, M.D. Ph.D., Mark L. Hudak, M.D.,
David W. Kimberlin, M.D., James Cummings, M.D.
Breastfeeding guidelines for Mothers with suspected or confirmed infection of COVID – 19
“Because studies to date have not detected the virus in breast milk, mothers may express breast milk after appropriate breast and hand hygiene. Caregivers who are not infected may feed the breast milk to the infant. Mothers who request direct breastfeeding and are suspected or confirmed infected with COVID – 19 should comply with strict preventive precautions that include use of a mask and meticulous breast and hand hygiene.”
General Breastfeeding guidelines:
“No study to date has demonstrated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in breastmilk.
In addition to the known benefits of breastfeeding, mothers’ milk may provide
infant protective factors after maternal COVID-19. Promoting breast milk feeding and
supporting establishment of maternal milk supply may offer additional benefits to well and sick
newborns.”
Mothers may express breast milk (after appropriate breast and hand hygiene) and this milk may be fed to the infant by designated caregivers.
Breast pumps and components should be thoroughly cleaned in between pumping sessions using standard center policies that must include cleaning the pump with disinfectant wipes and washing pump attachments with hot soapy water.