Human Milk Feeding and COVID-19
We know that many of you are juggling personal and professional changes to the way you live and work. Our team is too. In this time of deep uncertainty, we continue our commitment to serving in solidarity with your efforts to families. We hope you find the below resources, ideas, and opportunities helpful as you navigate the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We want to thank everyone who contributed to the resources shared within this page, and everyone who is continuing to find innovative ways to realize the vision of a breastfeeding-supportive Michigan. We are inspired by your efforts and honored by the privilege to serve alongside you. To share additional resources, please email hello@mibreastfeeding.org.
What Guides Our Efforts?
We convene monthly with local breastfeeding supporters throughout Michigan to learn what is happening in diverse communities throughout the state and prioritize our education, advocacy, and community-building efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. To view the report that guides our work, based on the most recent COVID-19 guidance from local breastfeeding supporters, click here.
These themes have guided our efforts and we are so honored to serve in solidarity with birth and breastfeeding frontline workers as we navigate this pandemic. If you would like to join our next meeting of breastfeeding supporters, please email hello@mibreastfeeding.org for more information and visit mibreastfeeding.org/local-meetings for more information.
Breastfeeding and COVID-19 Guidance
Bottom line: human milk feeding should continue
Although health officials are still learning about COVID-19, from what they know about other viral respiratory illnesses, WHO advises that breastfeeding should continue and families should remain together whenever possible and with the clearance of their medical provider. Human milk provides benefits including protection for infants against many illnesses. As is recommended by the WHO, handwashing before feeding or expressing human milk is encouraged by all individuals who come in contact with the infant and precautions should be taken by the sick parent to reduce the risk of virus transmission. We continue to monitor guidance for updates to their recommendations. If you would like to share a resource, please email hello@mibreastfeeding.org.
- Does breastfeeding protect children from COVID-19? An observational study from pediatric services in Majorca, Spain
- CDC COVID-19 Toolkit for Pregnant People and New Parents
- “Covid-19 Restrictions on Birth & Breastfeeding: Disproportionately Harming Black and Native Women” by Kimberly Seals Allers
- WHO interim guidance on breastfeeding and COVID-19
- WHO FAQ and Decision Tree
- WHO COVID-19 recommendation Facebook post
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommendations
- American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations
Breastfeeding and COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance
Bottom line: breastfeeding should continue
Although health officials are still learning about COVID-19 vaccine, early data suggests that COVID-19 vaccination antibodies may also be protective to infants who are fed human milk. We continue to monitor guidance for updates to their recommendations. If you would like to share a resource, please email hello@mibreastfeeding.org.
- WHO “Interim recommendations for use of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, BNT162b2, under Emergency Use Listing”
- Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Statement: Considerations for COVID-19 Vaccination in Lactation
- Infant Risk Center: COVID-19 Vaccine in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
- ACOG: Vaccinating Pregnant and Lactating Patients Against COVID-19
Resources for Breastfeeding Supporters
This resource list is continuing to grow. We do not consider this to be an all-encompassing list, but rather an easily accessible hub for resources referenced and shared during our meeting with local breastfeeding supporters. If you participate in our meetings and are looking for something that was mentioned on the call, look no further! If you would like to contribute a resource or join our next meeting of breastfeeding supporters, please email hello@mibreastfeeding.org for more information.
- MIBFN Breastfeeding and Emergencies Working Group Immunizations and Human Milk Guidance
- US Breastfeeding Committee COVID-19 Resource Webpage
- Learning Education Resources: Telehealth Tips and Resources for Lactation Providers
- Breastfeeding and Coronavirus resources from La Leche League International
- Relactation graphic by YOLO
- From Evidence-Based Birth, a sample informed consent for refusal of separation
- “Antibodies in breast milk remain for 10 months after Covid infection – study” article in The Guardian
- BreastfeedUSA #MilkMemos Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies Summer 2021 Issue
HIPAA Compliant Telehealth Resources
- Virtual Consult Best Practices for IBCLCs
- Doxy.me
- Zoom/Zoom Meeting (note: special paid plans offer HIPPA compliant security)
Free Internet Resources so Families Can Access Telehealth Support
- Comcast Free Internet Essential Program: (855) 846-8376
- Verizon extended data plans for the month of April
Lactation Support for Families
- Private practice IBCLCs throughout the United States who are offering virtual consultations
- Michigan WIC Community Support Liaison phone line staffed by Erica Davis: WIC warm line (833) MIWICBF or (833) 649-4223
- Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association (BMBFA): Breastfeeding, pregnancy and postpartum warm line (800) 313-6141 ext. 2 or ext. 3
- Southeast Michigan IBCLCs of Color FREE breastfeeding classes and support group information. Virtual and in-person clinical breastfeeding support is also accessible for families: semiibclcofcolor.org or 248-781-2497
- Chippewa Health Department/local hospital newborn referral form
Advocacy Resources
- COVID-19 Letter Addressing Human Milk Substitute (Word | PDF)
- Letter to Judge Regarding Jail Time and COVID-19 (Word | PDF)
- Child Care and COVID-19 resource
- Workplace and COVID-19 resource
If you are in need of birth and breastfeeding advocacy: please reach out to your local breastfeeding coalition, hello@mibreastfeeding.org, or call 734-365-6559 for support.
Working Together to Sustain Local Efforts
We are so inspired by everyone continuing to find innovative ways to realize the vision of a lactation-supportive Michigan and we are honored by the privilege to serve alongside you. We believe strongly in the need to listen, trust, and invest in the people providing direct support in the communities where they live and serve.
Collaborate with us!
If you would like to partner with MIBFN to bring financial resources to your community, or are interested in supporting our efforts, please reach out to hello@mibreastfeeding.org or 734-465-6559.
Consider giving today!
There is so much work to do, and so many families and organizations rely on our support. Please make a donation to MIBFN!