You can continue breastfeeding if you have COVID-19 or come in contact with someone with COVID-19. There is no evidence that the virus passes through breast milk.
The main risk to your baby of getting the virus is being in close contact with you. You could pass it on through droplets when you cough or sneeze. But your baby is unlikely to catch the virus if you take measures such as handwashing and wearing a mask.
If you feel unwell, you may express breast milk so that someone else can feed your baby. This could be your partner or a close family member.
Some women may have a reduction in their milk supply while they are ill.
Do
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wash your hands properly before touching your baby or any breastfeeding equipment such as pumps or bottles
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ask your midwife or other staff to show you how to clean the pump after each use
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consider wearing a face covering or fluid-resistant mask while feeding or caring for your baby
Don't
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do not put a face covering or mask on a baby under age 2 - these can cause suffocation
Important
If you are feeling unwell, make sure you do not fall asleep holding your baby. This can increase the risk of cot death (sudden infant death syndrome).
Treating symptoms when breastfeeding
Avoid medicines that contain decongestants, for example Sudafed. These can lead to a reduction in milk supply.
Taking medicine while breastfeeding
If your baby has COVID-19
If your baby has COVID-19, you can continue to breastfeed or give expressed breast milk to your baby.
Restarting breastfeeding
Some mothers may stop breastfeeding when they have COVID-19. It is possible to restart breastfeeding again. This is called relactation.
Relactation (restarting breastfeeding)
COVID-19 vaccine and breastfeeding
It is safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine if you are breastfeeding. You cannot catch the virus from the vaccine or pass it on to your baby.
Vaccinated women produce antibodies which help to protect them against COVID-19. You can continue breastfeeding as normal after vaccination.
Very small traces of vaccine have been found in the breast milk of some vaccinated women. But these disappear after a few days. There is no evidence of harm to the baby.