While this issue has come to the forefront in light of the question of COVID-19 vaccination, it is the same dilemma we have with almost every new drug with regard to pregnancy and lactation. We agree with the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine’s mantra: it’s time we protected these women through research, not from it.

Even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, breastfeeding is still safe and highly recommended. Current guidelines from all of the major health organizations, including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the CDC, are in agreement that mothers can and should breastfeed their newborns even if they are positive for COVID-19. 

Below is an interesting article characterizing transfer of Corona Virus to infant in perinatal period.  Maybe we don't need to separate moms and babies...  TWH

 

 

Maternal transmission of SARS-COV-2 to the neonate, and possible routes for such transmission: a systematic review and critical analysis

More research is being done on prevention of early menopause and a study recently published in JAMA found that pregnancy and breastfeeding may decrease risk of early menopause.

A recent case study suggested fenugreek could provoke serotonin syndrome.

Cosmetic breast surgery is popular in the United States. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast augmentation was the most popular cosmetic surgery in 2019. Some evidence indicates that women with breast implants may have more difficulty with lactation than non-augmented women.