Table 2.
Recommendations for mothers breastfeeding during COVID-19
| Name of health authority | Date of publication | Breastfeeding recommended (yes/no) | Mask recommended (yes/no), specific type? | Handwashing (yes/no) | Clean breast or breastfeeding equipment prior to breastfeeding? | Separate mother and infant (yes/no) | Feed expressed breastmilk if too ill to breastfeed or temporarily separated from infant | Disinfect surfaces if COVID-19 positive (yes/no) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Health Organization | 2020, April 28 | Yes | Yes (medical mask, if available) | Yes | Yes, however not necessary before every feeding | No | Yes | Yes |
| UNICEF | 2020, April 16 | Yes | Yes (no specific type given) | Yes | -- | -- | Yes | Yes |
| UNICEF | n.d. | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | No | -- | Yes |
| UNICEF Global Nutrition Cluster | 2020, March 30 | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | No | Yes | Yes |
| International Lactation Consultant Association | 2020, March 18 and 2020, March 24 | Yes | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists | 2020, April 23 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | -- | -- |
| Canadian Paediatric Society | 2020, April 6 | Yes | Yes (surgical mask) | Yes | Yes | -- | Yes | Yes |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Pregnancy and breastfeeding | 2020, April 15 | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | -- | Yes | -- |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Considerations for inpatient obstetric healthcare settings | 2020, April 6 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | Yes | Yes |
| Dietitians of Canada | 2020, April 8 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | Yes | -- |
| Government of Canada | 2020, April 30 and 2020, April 10 | Yes | Yes | -- | Yes | No | Yes | -- |
| Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine | 2020, March 10 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Temporary separation may be necessary if the mother needs medical attention, but can stay together if the proper precautions are maintained | Yes | -- |
| La Leche League International (LLLI) | 2020, April 16 | Yes | -- | -- | -- | -- | Yes | -- |
| Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists | 2020, April 17 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | -- | -- |
| UN Population Fund (UNFPA) | 2020, March 5 | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | No | Yes | Yes |
| BC Centre for Disease Control | 2020, May 1 | Yes | Yes (non-medical) | Yes | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada | 2020, March 13 | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| University of Saskatchewan | 2020, May 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | Yes | Yes |
| American Academy of Family Physicians | 2020, April 15 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (avoid separation whenever possible) | Yes | -- |
| New Zealand Ministry of Health | 2020, May 1 | Yes (with the implementation of precautions) | Yes (surgical mask) | Yes | -- | -- | Yes | -- |
| Alberta Health Services | 2020, May 7 | Yes | Yes (use multiple cloths if face mask is unavailable; e.g., scarf, bandana) | Yes | Yes | -- | Yes | -- |
| Better Outcomes Registry & Network Ontario (BORN Ontario) | 2020, May 7 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | -- | -- |
| BC Women’s Hospital | 2020, May 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | Yes | -- |
| Government of Quebec | 2020, April 28 | Yes | -- | -- | -- | No | -- | -- |
| Association of Ontario Midwives | 2020, April 7 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | Yes | Yes |
| Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) | 2020, May 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | Yes | -- |