Breastfeeding in postpartum women infected with COVID-19

The emergency severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection; and now known as COVID-19 has now spread throughout the world with important consequences is the management of pregnancy, maternal and child health, and mother-child contact. Breastfeeding is a natural event for mothers who have given birth. Breastfeeding will improve the health and well-being of both mother and baby and reduce the risk of neonatal infection and other pathogenic causes that might result in serious illness. To date, there is no evidence to confirm the vertical transmission of COVID-19 from an infected pregnant fetus. It is known that respiratory droplets during breastfeeding or when in close contact with a baby an infected mother can transmit the COVID-19 virus to infants. Therefore, women who are ensured COVID-19 must comply with standard precautionary procedures for contact with breastfeeding. Breast milk is a natural food for babies. Breast milk does not only contain nutrients, such as protein, lipids, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and other elements that are very important to meet the nutritional needs of infants and ensure they can grow and develop normally. Breast milk also contains many components related to immunity. Some of these compounds provide passive protection which in the digestive tract, respiratory tract, prevents pathogenic bacteria and thus can protect breastfed infants from invasive infections in infants. Many studies show that transmission of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection is not through breast milk, but there are fears of transmission to infants while breastfeeding. So it needs to be considered by looking at various factors and needs special protocols so that the mother and baby stay healthy.