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.
High-quality scientific evidence shows that breastfeeding reduces neonatal, infant and under-five mortality, even in resource-rich settings, and also improves lifelong health and development in all geographic areas and economic environments.
In children, in the few cases of confirmed COVID-19 virus infection from sources other than breastfeeding, the disease has been mostly asymptomatic or with mild symptoms.
During breastfeeding, the mother should apply appropriate hygiene measures - including wearing a medical mask if available - to reduce the possibility of transmitting respiratory droplets containing the COVID-19 virus to the newborn.
