Mother's Breastmilk Found Beneficial with Minimal COVID-19 Risk

Although human milk is considered the best source of nutrition for most infants, the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic and our lack of understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus transmission has caused confusion around whether breastfeeding should be initiated and/or continued during maternal COVID-19 illness.

To answer this question, the American Society for Microbiology published a new study in mBio on February 9, 2021, report that repeated milk samples collected from 18 breast-feeding women following COVID-19 diagnosis did not contain SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Importantly, these researchers found that milk produced by infected mothers is a source of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA and IgG and neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 activity.

These results support recommendations to continue breastfeeding during mild-to-moderate maternal COVID-19 illness as milk likely provides specific immunologic benefits to infants.

Furthermore, most infants (83%, 15/18) appeared healthy with no signs of illness, including two whose mothers had detectable viral RNA on their breast skin. However, these three cases had additional household members confirmed to have COVID-19, making it difficult to attribute their symptoms or mode of transmission, in the case of the positive infant, to breastfeeding, said these researchers.

However, the risk of transmission via breast skin should be further evaluated, concluded these researchers.

A previous commentary published by The Lancet on February 4, 2021, concluded stating: To improve maternal-infant health and maintain public confidence in vaccines in handling this pandemic and preparing for the next, vaccine manufacturers and regulators must work closely with lactation scientists, infectious disease specialists, and public health experts to assess vaccine safety in breastfeeding women at early stages of product development.

It is encouraging that many nations, including the United Kingdom, are now adopting a more positive tone around vaccine recommendations for breastfeeding women. However, in many cases, the recommendation's finer points will still lie with individual providers or institutions.