To protect newborn:
Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer every time you touch your baby.
- Limit visitors in the first few weeks after giving birth and make sure people that have been sick and/or possibly exposed to COVID-19 do not visit. Visitors wearing masks will not be enough to protect a newborn from this virus.
- Breastfeed, if possible, to help bolster your baby’s immunity. Even partial breastmilk will make a big difference in helping your baby fight off infection.
- If pumping breastmilk, make sure to clean and disinfect your pump and all parts before and after every use.
- Call your baby’s doctor if you have any questions or concerns about his or her symptoms, including a fever, fast breathing, cough, and/or refusal to eat
If breastfeeding and you’re exposed to COVID-19, the CDC has published guidelines for breastfeeding when a mother is confirmed, or suspected to have COVID-19. These guidelines include the following:
- Wash your hands before touching and feeding your baby
- Wear a mask while breastfeeding
- If pumping, make sure to wash your hands before pumping and thoroughly clean pump parts after each pumping session
- Consider having someone who is well to feed your baby pumped breastmilk
For additional information:
https://www.bfmed.org/abm-statement-coronavirus
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/pregnancy-breastfeeding.html#breastfeeding
https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/healthychildcare/infantfeeding/breastpump.html
