Skip to main content
Go to homepage

Print Page

Is it Safe to Breastfeed if I Have Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Can I Breastfeed My Baby if I Have COVID-19?

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

Talk to your doctor to help decide whether you should continue to breastfeed and how to do it safely. Your breast milk is the best nutrition for your baby and can protect against many illnesses. While you are sick, you (or someone else) can give your baby expressed breast milk.

How Can I Protect My Baby?

If you choose to breastfeed or give expressed milk in a bottle, to help prevent spreading the virus to your baby:

  • Wash your hands before and after touching your baby.
  • Wear a mask while nursing.
  • Wash your hands before touching your breast pump or bottle parts. Clean all parts after each use.
  • Let someone else in your household who is not sick give your baby your expressed breast milk.

Try to limit close face-to-face contact with your baby, and cough or sneeze into a tissue (and then throw it away). When you aren't feeding your baby, try to stay a reasonable distance from your baby as much as possible.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Call your health care provider if you feel unwell with COVID-19 symptoms such as:

  • a fever
  • coughing
  • trouble breathing
  • cold symptoms such as a sore throat, congestion, or runny nose
  • chills
  • muscle pain
  • headache
  • a loss of taste or smell
  • nausea or vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • tiredness

Also call right away if your baby has a fever or trouble breathing, or seems sick.

Where Can I Get Updated Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Check the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) websites more information.

Reviewed by: Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD
Date Reviewed: Aug 20, 2022

Lea este articulo en Español

What next?

Summit Mall Play Area
Answer Key:
Click to expand
There are 10 nurses in the picture.

And we have many more pediatric primary care providers in Northeast Ohio. You can meet some of them here.
Summit Mall Play Area
Answer Key:
Click to expand
The five differences are:
– Phone color
– Coat pocket
– Stethoscope earpiece color
– Stethoscope bell dot
– Clipboard paper color

Need help finding a doctor, choosing a location or getting a general question about Akron Children's answered? Call us or fill out the form and we'll help in any way we can.
Summit Mall Play Area
Answer Key:
Click to expand
The two matching doctors are 9 and 14.

With virtual visits, you can see our pediatric experts from the comfort of home or wherever you are.
Summit Mall Play Area
Answer Key:
Click to expand
The correct path:
The Correct Path
We offer many ways to get pediatric care all over Northeast Ohio. Use this page to find the right kind of care and the most convenient location for you.