The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was launched in 1991 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) with the aim of protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding in maternity care facilities, ensuring they follow the WHO/UNICEF "Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding" and adhere to the 1981 International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
To date, active COVID-19 (virus that can cause infection) has not been detected in the breastmilk of any mother with confirmed/suspected COVID-19. It appears unlikely, therefore, that COVID-19 would be transmitted through breastfeeding or by giving breastmilk that has been expressed by a mother who is confirmed/suspected to have COVID-19
Mothers with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 are advised to wear a medical mask, but even if this is not possible, breastfeeding should be continued.
It is important to replace medical masks as soon as they become damp and dispose of them immediately. Masks should not be reused or touched in the front but to remove it from behind.
It is important to follow other infection prevention measures, such as washing hands, cleaning surfaces, and covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing.
In all socio-economic settings, breastfeeding improves survival and provides lifelong health and development advantages to newborns and infants. Breastfeeding also improves the health of mothers. Transmission of active COVID-19 (virus that can cause infection) through breast milk and breastfeeding has not been detected to date. Therefore, there is no reason to avoid or discontinue breastfeeding.