Your COVID-19 Questions & Answers
Response from Tom Belhorn
Q:
I have heard a COVID-positive mother can still breastfeed her newborn infant. But if a COVID-positive mother is being treated with medications for the virus, can she still provide breast milk? Would it harm the infant?
A:
One mother of one of our most recent COVID-exposed infants was being treated with Remdesivir. Two other agents that have been discussed for treatment in adults are Kaletra (Lopinavir / Ritonavir) and Hydroxychloroquine. Breast feeding is not a contraindication for any of these three medications. Treatment algorithms will likely change as more data is accumulated on efficacy of these agents for COVID treatment, and safety for the infant should be checked with newer agents. And remember to always check the complete medication list for the mothers to make sure no other medication would be a contraindication for transmission via breast milk to her newborn.