The coronavirus has now found its way into the heart of Europe. You can't miss it - we are in a state of emergency. Our midwife Katharina has already been asked several times what to do if you are infected with the virus or have been classified as a suspected case, and anyone who has been infected with the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus (also known as "corona") does not necessarily notice it immediately. Children and healthy people often remain symptom-free. Older people, however, are very likely to contract the lung disease Covid-19. But the all-clear can be given straight away: the infection is often much milder in children than in adults. However, you are probably wondering whether you should breastfeed your child at all in the current situation? And what happens if you are infected? Our midwife Katharina will answer all your questions about breastfeeding during the corona crisis.
Breastfeeding with corona infection
Let's start with the worst-case scenario: You have contracted coronavirus and are still breastfeeding your child. Basically, if you are infected with the new coronavirus, you can also pass the disease on to your child. Coronavirus is a droplet infection that is transmitted by coughing and sneezing. Once the pathogens are in the air, they enter the body through the eyes, nose and mouth. The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture writes on its website that the National Breastfeeding Commission expressly recommends continuing to breastfeed children. At the moment, experts have no evidence to suggest that the coronavirus can spread via breast milk. Although this assumption is based on a small number of studies, there is also no scientific evidence to the contrary.Can I express breast milk?
If you have been diagnosed with coronavirus and would like to continue breastfeeding your child, there is nothing to stop you from expressing your breast milk. Pay attention to proper hygiene and clean the breast pump and all attachments with hot water after pumping (boiling in a pot is also possible). Before use, you should check that everything is clean and sterilise it to be on the safe side. If your child is not yet used to a bottle, this can lead to so-called sucking confusion. In this case, contact your midwife, she will help you. Need advice from a midwife quickly? Click here for the emergency midwife Older babies are not usually confused by a bottle, your child can simply receive your expressed breast milk in a bottle with a teat. The usual hygiene measures are sufficient for expressing and feeding. Refrain from borrowing or lending your breast pump. If you don't have your own pump, your doctor may be able to give you a prescription so that you can borrow a device from the pharmacy.How to reduce the risk of infection
In any case, your milk is valuable and important for your baby and strengthens the immune system. However, there is still a risk of infection when breastfeeding: close skin contact is considered by experts to be the greatest risk of infection. It is therefore important that you adhere to the general hygiene recommendations:- wear a face mask around your baby if you suspect or have confirmation that you may have been infected with coronavirus
- wash your hands well with soap before touching your baby
- use your own towels and flannels for the baby
One Response
It's good to know that there is nothing to stop a mother from expressing her breast milk, even if she is proven to have coronavirus and wants to continue breastfeeding her baby. My aunt recently contracted coronavirus. She is happy that she can still breastfeed her newborn child.