Breast Milk Contains Covid Genetic Material But Infected Mothers Won’t Transmit Virus Through Breastfeeding, Study Finds

A small number of more limited studies and supporting recommendations from health organizations advise mothers to continue breastfeeding after they have been exposed to Covid-19.
There was no evidence that breastfeeding could transmit Covid.

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A small proportion of mothers who had recently been exposed to the Covid-19 virus had genetic material from it in their breast milk, according to researchers from the University of California.
The researchers said that there was no evidence that breast milk contained infectious virus or genetic material indicating viral replication, and that they were unable to culture the virus from the samples.
The lead author said there was no evidence to suggest that breastfeeding is a risk for infants.

The study is the largest of its kind so far and provides substantial support for a number of smaller studies with similar findings, as well as bolstering guidance from health organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization.
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There are rare cases where breast milk can transmit disease. It is a well-known route of transmission for HIV and human T cell Lymphotropic virus, which can cause a type of leukemia and a progressive nervous system condition, and it has been detected in samples of breast milk. The WHO says women with Covid-19 can breast feed if they want to, but they need to take precautions to prevent the spread of the disease, including wearing a mask during feeding and washing their hands after touching the baby.
Vaccination coverage among pregnant and breastfeeding people is below average, due to a lack of public health messaging that changed as new information came in and baselessly suggesting the shots can somehow harm mother, child or both. The Covid-19 vaccines are not used in widespread use because they do not use live viruses. The vaccines do not show up in breast milk. Antibodies from the mother are passed on in breast milk, which provides some degree of protection against the virus.

What the data say about vaccines and breastfeeding.

There was no infectious disease in breast milk from a group of women.

Breast milk is being used to give babies antibodies.

Coverage and live updates on the coronaviruses.