Can I breastfeed if I have Covid?

Coronavirus does not seem to spread to babies through breast milk. It's safe to breastfeed if you have COVID-19. But new moms with COVID-19 could spread the virus to their infant through tiny droplets that spread when they talk, cough, or sneeze.

Can COVID-19 be transmitted through breast milk?

Current evidence suggests that breast milk is not likely to spread the virus to babies. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.

Can COVID-19 antibodies be detected in breast milk after vaccination?

Mounting evidence shows that breast milk of vaccinated mothers carries antibodies against the virus that causes COVID-19.

Can I take care of my newborn if I have COVID-19 and there is no healthy caregiver?

If a healthy caregiver is not available, you can care for your newborn if you are well enough.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before touching for your newborn. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Wear a mask when within 6 feet of your newborn and other people during your entire isolation period. The mask helps prevent you from spreading the virus to others.

How should a mother express breast milk if she has COVID-19?

If you have COVID-19 and choose to express breast milk:
• Use your own breast pump (one not shared with anyone else), if possible.
• Wear a mask as you express breast milk.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before touching any pump or bottle parts, and before expressing breast milk.

Can I Get the COVID-19 Vaccine if I Am Breastfeeding?

What should I do when I tested positive for COVID-19 and want to express breast milk?

Wear a mask as you express breast milk. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before touching any pump or bottle parts, and before expressing breast milk. Follow recommendations for proper pump cleaning after each use. Clean all parts of the pump that come into contact with breast milk.

Consider having a healthy caregiver feed the expressed breast milk to the baby. The caregiver should be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines and not be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. If the caregiver is living in the same home or has been in close contact with you, they might have been exposed.

People who have come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 should be tested to check for infection: If you develop symptoms, get tested immediately and isolate until you receive your test results. If you test positive, follow isolation recommendations. If you do not develop symptoms, get tested at least 5 days

Can newborns get COVID-19?

Current evidence suggests that the chance of a newborn getting COVID-19 from their birth parent is low, especially when the parent takes steps (such as wearing a mask and washing hands) to prevent spread before and during care of the newborn.

What is the risk of a newborn being infected if the mother has COVID-19?

Current evidence suggests that the risk of a newborn getting COVID-19 from their mother is low, especially when the mother takes steps (such as wearing a mask and her washing hands) to prevent spread before and during care of the newborn.

Should I wear a mask around my baby if I have COVID-19?

Wear a mask when within 6 feet of your newborn and other people during your entire isolation period. The mask helps prevent you from spreading the virus to others.

How long could you be contagious with COVID-19?

"Youve gotta stay home for five days because typically those first five days are when you are the most contagious," Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said. "But in those days six to 10, some people still can be spreading virus."

Would COVID-19 antibody test be positive after vaccine?

Be aware that if you have a positive test result on a SARS-CoV-2 antibody test, it is possible you were previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. A COVID-19 vaccination may also cause a positive antibody test result for some but not all antibody tests.

Why antibody testing Is not currently recommended to assess immunity after COVID-19 vaccination?

Currently authorized SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests have not been evaluated to assess the level of protection provided by an immune response to COVID-19 vaccination. If antibody test results are interpreted incorrectly, there is a potential risk that people may take fewer precautions against SARS-CoV-2 exposure.

How long does it take for antibodies to develop after exposure to COVID-19?

It can take days to weeks after an infection for your body to make antibodies.

Can COVID-19 spread through sexual intercourse?

Although COVID-19 has been detected in semen and feces, currently we do not think that the virus is spread through the sexual act. But, given that the virus is spread through respiratory droplets—which are much more likely to be shared when in close contact with another person—many sexual acts will be considered high risk. So, as the New York City Department of Health details in its safer sex and COVID-19 fact sheet, minimizing risks by exploring other avenues of meaningful interaction is suggested and recommended.

Can COVID-19 be transmitted through semen or vaginal fluids?

There is currently no evidence that the COVID-19 virus is transmitted through semen or vaginal fluids, but the virus has been detected in the semen of people who have or are recovering from the virus. Further research is needed to determine if the COVID-19 virus could be transmitted sexually.

Can I still have sex during the coronavirus pandemic?

If both of you are healthy and feeling well, are practicing social distancing and have had no known exposure to anyone with COVID-19, touching, hugging, kissing, and sex are more likely to be safe.

What precautions should I take if my newborn is in the same room as me in the hospital during COVID-19 isolation?

If you are in isolation for COVID-19 and are sharing a room with your newborn, take the following steps to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to your newborn:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before holding or caring for your newborn. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Wear a mask when within 6 feet of your newborn.
• Keep your newborn more than 6 feet away from you as much as possible.
• Discuss with your healthcare provider ways to protect your newborn, such as using a physical barrier (for example, placing the newborn in an incubator) while in the hospital.

Should I wear a mask if I have the coronavirus disease?

The person who is sick.

• The person who is sick should wear a mask when they are around other people at home and out (including before they enter a doctor's office).
• The mask helps prevent a person who is sick from spreading the virus to others.

How do I prevent getting COVID-19 from a sick family member?

• Put on a mask and ask the sick person to put on a mask before entering the room.
• Wear gloves when you touch or have contact with the sick person’s blood, stool, or body fluids,
such as saliva, mucus, vomit, and urine. Throw out gloves into a lined trash can and wash your
hands right away.
◦ Practice everyday preventive actions to keep from getting sick: wash your hands often; avoid
touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; and frequently clean and disinfect surfaces.

What are some of the risks of having COVID-19 while pregnant?

Effect on Pregnancy Outcomes. For example, COVID-19 during pregnancy increases the risk of delivering a preterm (earlier than 37 weeks) or stillborn infant. People with COVID-19 during pregnancy may also be more likely to have other pregnancy complications.

How does COVID-19 affect children?

Most children who become infected with the COVID-19 virus have only a mild illness. But in children who go on to develop MIS-C , some organs and tissues — such as the heart, lungs, blood vessels, kidneys, digestive system, brain, skin or eyes — become severely inflamed.

Are pregnant women at increased risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19?

Pregnant women are at increased risk for severe COVID-19–related illness, and COVID-19 is associated with an increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes and maternal and neonatal complications (1–3).

How likely is it that children infected with COVID-19 are asymptomatic?

Our review of the latest available data indicates that, while children who are infected with COVID-19 are more likely to be asymptomatic and less likely to experience severe disease (though a small subset become quite sick), they are capable of transmitting to both children and adults.

What conditions put children at higher risk for COVID-19?

Like adults, children with obesity, diabetes, asthma or chronic lung disease, sickle cell disease, or who are immunocompromised can also be at increased risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.

What should you do if your child is sick with COVID-19?

If you think your child is sick with COVID-19, trust your instinct, especially if the child has a cough or fever. Contact your pediatrician, family care practitioner or urgent care clinic if you don't have a doctor, and follow their instructions carefully regarding isolation and testing.