Implications of the COVID-19 pandemic response for breastfeeding, maternal caregiving capacity and infant mental health

We aim to outline the protective influences of breastfeeding on infant health during this pandemic, and to (1) describe the state of the science concerning SARS-CoV-2 in infants and human milk, and (2) summarize international and national guidance for newborn care in this context. (3) We describe the results of policies that prevent skin-to-skin contact, isolate or separate mothers and infants on breastfeeding, maternal caregiving capacity, and infant mental health. (4) Finally, we discuss parallels to the HIV pandemic, ethical considerations, and the disproportionate influence of policies undermining breastfeeding and maternal caregiving on disadvantaged mothers and infants. Some of the research cited in this review is old, because the findings are so well established that there is no need for repetition, and it would now be unethical to expose infants to the harms of depriving them of skin-to-skin, maternal proximity, and breastfeeding for research purposes.