A: Depends whom you ask. 🙁
tl;dr:
The American Academy of Pediatrics’ April 2 guidance recommends separating infected mom & baby while mom is ill, and supporting mom to pump milk for bottle-feeding the baby.
WHO, CDC, and Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine say it’s ok for infected mom & baby to stay together and breastfeed, but mom should wear a mask and wash hands. CDC guidelines do say to “consider” separating mom and baby.
More details below on possible coronavirus transmission via breastmilk (no evidence yet that this happens), donor milk (ok b/c pasteurized), and how to transition back to breastfeeding if interrupted.
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