Breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic – a literature review for clinical practice

Abstract

Background The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting normal life globally, every area of life is touched. The pandemic demands quick action and as new information emerges, reliable synthesises and guidelines for care are urgently needed. Breastfeeding protects mother and child; its health benefits are undisputed and based on evidence. To plan and support breastfeeding within the current pandemic, two areas need to be understood: 1) the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 as it applies to breastfeeding and 2) the protective properties of breastfeeding, including the practice of skin-to-skin care. This review aims to summarise how to manage breastfeeding during COVID-19. The summary was used to create guidelines for healthcare professionals and mothers. Methods Current publications on breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic were reviewed to inform guidelines for clinical practice. Results Current evidence states that the Coronavirus is not transmitted via breastmilk. Breastfeeding benefits outweigh possible risks during the COVID-19 pandemic and may even protect the infant and mother. General infection control measures should be in place and adhered to very strictly. Conclusions Breastfeeding should be encouraged, mothers and infant dyads should be cared for together, and skin-to-skin contact ensured throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. If mothers are too ill to breastfeed, they should still be supported to express their milk, and the infant should be fed by a healthy individual. Guidelines, based on this current evidence, were produced and can be distributed to health care facilities where accessible information is needed.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Seven Childbearing Women at the Moment of Delivery, a Romanian Experience

“…The choice between rooming-in or mother-new born baby separation is important and the review of available cases showed that the avoidance of separation might be associated with a higher risk of late-onset neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infection. This is important since neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infections are more commonly acquired postnatal, through environmental exposure [ 9 , 10 ].…”

The Effect of Psychological Factors on the Quality of Life in Iranian Lactating Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Path Analysis

“…The result of one systematic review shows that postpartum anxiety has negative impacts on breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity (22). Transmission of covid-19 as a respiratory virus via breast milk is not common even for mothers who tested positive (23). The properties of breast milk including anti-infective factors, as well as transferring of immunological competence and memory can protect the infant against infection disease (23).…”

“…Transmission of covid-19 as a respiratory virus via breast milk is not common even for mothers who tested positive (23). The properties of breast milk including anti-infective factors, as well as transferring of immunological competence and memory can protect the infant against infection disease (23). Mother anxiety has an adverse physiological effect on breastfeeding due to maternal anxiety and stress can interfere with oxytocin releasing and milk ejection re ex.…”

SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions: Concerns, challenges, management and mitigation strategies–a narrative review

“…Although not enough evidence supports SARS-CoV-2 transmission through breast milk [ [140] , [141] , [142] ], close contact during breastfeeding may contribute to the transmission of infection from mothers to their newborns [ 75 ]. Therefore, feeding of expressed mother’s milk should be considered to avoid the child’s contact with the COVID-19 infected mother [ 143 ].…”