WHO recommends continuing breastfeeding

during COVID-19 infection and after

vaccination
330

For further information, contact:

Copenhagen, 4 August
2021 Bhanu Bhatnagar

Press and Media Relations Officer

Breastfeeding has many WHO Regional Office for Europe

advantages for mother and Email: eupress@who.int

child and does not need to be (mailto:eupress@who.int)
discontinued during COVID-19
infection nor following
vaccination of the mother. The virus that causes COVID-19 has not been
detected in breastmilk, according to a limited number of studies to date,
indicating that it is safe to carry on breastfeeding, while taking
recommended precautions, even if a mother develops COVID-19.

Furthermore, based on the evidence available so far and knowledge of how

COVID-19 vaccines work, vaccinating a breastfeeding mother to protect her
from COVID-19 poses no risk to her infant. Breastfeeding mothers who
have received the COVID-19 vaccine have antibodies in their milk, which
could even help to protect their babies from infection with the virus.

Rates of exclusive breastfeeding in the WHO European Region (comprising

53 countries) are the lowest of all WHO regions, with just 13% of infants
exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months. Meanwhile, only a third of the
adult population in the Region has completed their full COVID-19
vaccination dose, as the Delta variant becomes dominant in the Region and
COVID-19 cases exceed 60 million.

To mark World Breastfeeding Week, WHO/Europe is urging breastfeeding

women to get vaccinated against COVID-19 when it is their turn, in line with
national vaccination plans. WHO does not recommend discontinuing
breastfeeding because of COVID-19 vaccination. Breastfeeding is one of
the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival, including
providing antibodies and protection.

Natasha Azzopardi Muscat, Director of Country Health Policies and

Systems at WHO/Europe, said: “As a mother who has breastfed all 3 of my
children, I know first-hand that breastmilk is one of the best sources of
nutrition for infants, including infants whose mothers have confirmed or
suspected COVID-19 infection. As long as an infected mother takes
appropriate precautions, she can breastfeed her baby.

“Breastmilk contains antibodies and other immunological benefits that can

help protect against respiratory diseases. A growing body of evidence
supports the importance of breastfeeding for a child’s growth, development
and health, as well as for helping them avoid obesity and noncommunicable
diseases later in life.

“The benefits of breastfeeding and nurturing mother–infant interaction to

prevent infection and promote health and development are especially
important when health and other community services are disrupted or
limited because of the pandemic.”

WHO’s current guidance is that women with COVID-19 can breastfeed if

they wish to do so, but they should take precautions, including:

practicing respiratory hygiene during feeding, including wearing a

mask or covering mouth and nose;
washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before and after
touching the baby;
routinely cleaning and disinfecting surfaces they have touched.

FAQs: Breastfeeding and COVID-19. For health care workers

(https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/reproductive-health/maternal-
health/faqs-breastfeeding-and-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=d839e6c0_5)

WHO European Region has lowest global breastfeeding rates

(https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-
prevention/nutrition/news/news/2015/08/who-european-region-has-lowest-global-
breastfeeding-rates)

WHO/Europe COVID-19 Vaccine Programme Monitor

(https://worldhealthorg.shinyapps.io/EURO_COVID-19_vaccine_monitor/)

SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant now dominant in much of European region; efforts must
be reinforced to prevent transmission, warns WHO Regional Office for Europe and
ECDC
(https://www.euro.who.int/en/media-centre/sections/press-
releases/2021/sars-cov-2-delta-variant-now-dominant-in-much-of-european-region-
efforts-must-be-reinforced-to-prevent-transmission,-warns-who-regional-office-for-
europe-and-ecdc)

COVID-19 cases top 60 million in European Region, says WHO/Europe

(https://www.euro.who.int/en/media-centre/sections/press-releases/2021/covid-19-
cases-top-60-million-in-european-region,-says-whoeurope)

World Breastfeeding Week

(https://www.paho.org/en/campaigns/world-
breastfeeding-week-campaign-2021)

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