Coronavirus breastfeeding local information
Amid the current pandemic of widespread infection and difficulties in purchasing formula milks, breastfeeding has never been more important for the health and wellbeing of our babies and their mothers.
Current understanding is that COVID-19 cannot be passed to your baby via breastmilk. Infection could be spread to the baby in the same way as to anyone in close contact with you. However, the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risks of transmission of the virus through breastmilk or by being in close contact with your child. Therefore guidance is that breastfeeding babies should stay with their mothers and continue to be breastfed.
Practise excellent hand hygiene: washing thoroughly with soap for a minimum of 20 seconds after touching face or surfaces and before handling your baby. If you are symptomatic, then you can consider wearing a mask when handling and feeding baby.
We know that breastmilk is likely to be part of baby’s best defence against the virus if they do contract it; and we know that there are currently shortages of alternative milks for baby, so we hope that this information sheet on breastfeeding support will be useful.
National support
National Breastfeeding Helpline
Tel: 0300 100 0212
(9.30am – 9.30pm, 7 days a week)
National Breastfeeding Helpline
The Breastfeeding Network Drugs in Breastmilk
A service for information on medications or medical conditions and breastfeeding – factsheets written by pharmacist Dr Wendy Jones (MBE).
Breastfeeding network drugs fact sheets
La Leche League Helpline
Tel: 0345 120 2918
La Leche League Helpline
NCT Helpline
Tel: 0300 330 0700
Lactation Consultants of Great Britain
An interactive map enables you to find expert and experienced International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) support. Many of our colleagues are using videocalls, email and phone support as a priority during the present COVID-19 situation. (NB Private IBCLC support may incur a fee.)
Find an IBCLC
Online support
Breastfeeding Twins and Triplets UK
Breastfeeding Twins and Triplets UK
Breastfeeding With CMPA and Other Food Allergies
Breastfeeding With CMPA and Other Food Allergies Support Group UK
Breastfeeding Yummy Mummies
Evidence based information and support, administration by a team of qualified breastfeeding peer supporters, health visitors, midwives and IBCLC.
Breastfeeding Yummy Mummies
Support in other languages
Breastfeeding support in other languages
Information sources for health professionals
UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service (UKDILAS)
Information around medications whilst breastfeeding
