Key Facts about Breastfeeding and Emergencies, including COVID-19.
*Page updated 3 December, 2020
Our goal at Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities is to support all families in our community during this unprecedented and stressful time. We know that information and recommendations are changing rapidly and it can be difficult to find the resources you need to sustain your family. Please see below for information, resources, tips, and support.
- Virtual Lactation Consultant
- Give Birth During COVID-19
- Local Breastfeeding Support Meetings and Resources
- Global and National COVID-19 Breastfeeding Resources
Feel free to reach out directly by email if you have questions: contact@breastfeedingcommunities.org
What Can I Do Now?
It can be difficult to feel like you are doing enough to care for yourself and your family in a situation like this. The best thing to do is follow general safety and hygiene guidelines to try to prevent the spread of illness:
- Wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose when around others.
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
- Stay home when possible.
- Follow all local (Orange County, Durham, North Carolina) authorities’ guidelines and recommendations.
- Share how the pandemic is impacting the infant feeding experience. The United States Breastfeeding Committee invites health care providers, pregnant and breastfeeding families, and all public health stakeholders to share your perspectives.
- Read the information from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) on How to Protect Yourself from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Research shows that infants and children are vulnerable during emergencies.
Breastfeeding saves lives! Human milk is always clean, requires no fuel, water, or electricity, and is available, even in the direst circumstances.
- Human milk contains antibodies that fight infection, including diarrhea and respiratory infections common among infants in emergency situations.
- Human milk provides infants with perfect nutrition, including the proper amount of vitamins and minerals required for normal growth.
- Breastfeeding releases hormones that lower stress and anxiety in both babies and mothers.
- Mothers who breastfeed are able to keep their babies warm to prevent hypothermia.
Breastfeeding in an emergency!
- The safest food in an emergency is the baby’s breast milk. Donor human milk is the next best option. Breastfeeding families who cannot directly feed their babies can be supported to express their milk.
- Women who are stressed can continue to make milk. A quiet area that helps the parent relax can help milk flow to the baby.
- Even those who have already discontinued breastfeeding may be able to restart breastfeeding (known as “relactation”).
- If a baby (or parent) becomes ill, the best thing is to continue breastfeeding to provide the baby with human antibodies that fight the illness.
- Read the World Health Organization Q&A: Breastfeeding and COVID-19.
- Support makes the difference!
COVID-19 Symptoms:
- Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed COVID19 cases.
- These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (based on the known information about the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses).
- From the CDC, people with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19 (the list may not include all possible symptoms):
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
What to Do if You Have Symptoms:
- From the CDC, if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing:
- Call your health care provider for medical advice.
- Stay home.
- Take care of yourself.
- Avoid public transportation.
- If you do not have a primary care doctor, call 211 or the local health department.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Care:
Emergency warning* signs may include:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
*Other symptoms also may be warning signs. Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention (call 911) immediately. Remember to call ahead, if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, so that health care providers can properly prepare for your arrival.
How to Care for Someone at Home:
Most people who get sick with COVID-19 will have only mild illness and can recover at home.* According to the CDC, care at home can help stop the spread of COVID-19 and help protect people who are at risk for getting seriously ill from COVID-19.
If you are caring for someone at home, monitor for emergency signs, prevent the spread of germs, treat symptoms, and carefully consider when to end home isolation.
*Note: Older adults and people of any age with certain serious underlying medical conditions like lung disease, heart disease, or diabetes are at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness and should seek care as soon as symptoms start.
Coping During COVID-19
From the CDC — MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES:
- Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
- Take care of your body.
- Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate
- Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
- Exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs
- Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
- Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
Need help? Know someone who does?
If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others
- Visit the Disaster Distress Helpline, call 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746
- Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: provides 24/7, free an confidential support for people in distress. 1-800-273-8255
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Hotline: Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
Domestic Violence Resources
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, contact 911.
The National Domestic Violence hotline offers 24/7 call and online chat services. All chats and calls are completely confidential. Call 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522. Domestic violence service providers are considered essential services and should continue to operate under Stay-at-Home orders.
- Contact Sherry Honeycutt Everett at severett@nccadv.org
- Kathleen Lockwood at klockwood@nccadv.org with questions.
- North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 1-800-799-7233 (24/7)
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, contact 911.
The National Domestic Violence hotline offers 24/7 call and online chat services. All chats and calls are completely confidential. Call 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522. Domestic violence service providers are considered essential services and should continue to operate under Stay-at-Home orders.
- Contact Sherry Honeycutt Everett at severett@nccadv.org
- Kathleen Lockwood at klockwood@nccadv.org with questions.
- North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 1-800-799-7233 (24/7)
Resources for Child Care Programs
- Guidance for Schools and Child Care Programs
- Supplemental Guidance For Child Care Programs That Remain Open
- K-12 Schools and Child Care Programs– FAQs for Administrators, Teachers, and Parents
- Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019
- Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility
- CDC COVID-19 Stress and Coping Resources
- Children and COVID-19
Contact Us
Please email contact@breastfeedingcommunities.org with any additional resources that need to be added to this page.