Researchers at the University of Idaho and University of Rochester are recruiting breastfeeding women with COVID-19 in order to study if the transmission of the virus can occur through breast milk and/or breastfeeding. The outcomes of this study will help address the important questions regarding the safety and benefits of breastfeeding in COVID-19 infected mothers and maternal immunity transfer through breast milk.

To participate, you must fit the following criteria

Be at least 18 years old and currently breastfeeding.
Have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 48 hours or awaiting the results of being tested.

Participation would require at least one but ideally three milk samples and breast swabs in the week after you are diagnosed with COVID-19.

All materials needed to participate will be provided to you.

Interested in participating?

Email breastmilk@uidaho.edu or call 208-301-3740 for more information.

Download recruitment flyer (pdf)

Background

Little is known about the potential transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) from mothers to infants, from infants to mothers, and within families that contain women and their infants. In particular, and of great interest to us, is the fact that almost nothing is known about whether lactating women can transmit the virus to their nursing offspring via breast milk and/or via the process of breastfeeding. Alternatively, it is quite possible that breastfeeding protects infants from COVID-19. With breast milk being recommended as the sole source of nutrition for the first six months of life, it is critically important to know much more about the relationship between breastfeeding and COVID-19. We invite you to join our team and be part of this incredible and timely study!

Funding for this research has been provided by a generous grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and an in-kind donation of breast milk pumps by Medela.