Stay informed on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency is evolving rapidly. Daily changes to health guidance and practices can be difficult to navigate. Communication between organizations and the community is important to help everyone stay up-to-date on services available and the latest health recommendations.
This page includes a compilation of evidence-based information and resources to help families, WIC and community agencies, and hospitals stay informed during the COVID-19 outbreak.

We know this is stressful! 

Having a baby during the COVID-19 crisis must be very scary. Many families feel like it will be hard to keep their babies safe. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) is the best resource for the most up-to-date information on COVID-19. View the CDC’s webpage on Pregnancy & Breastfeeding During Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Important Things to Consider

Pregnant women need to take precautions as well. 

Pregnant women are considered at-risk. It’s especially important for you to take precautions during this time. The most important thing to do is to stay home. It is likely your prenatal clinic has changed practices for appointments. Make sure to call your prenatal clinic to confirm scheduling.

Your delivery may be different then you planned, especially if you are sick.

Your hospital has a lot of new rules and procedures. Your birth plan may have to change, especially if you are sick when you come in for labor and delivery. Reach out to your birthing center to get up-to-the-minute details about things such as  visitor rules and how long you can expect to stay in the hospital. The rules are changing daily. 

Breastfeeding is the best way to feed your baby during this public health emergency.

Did you know that experts agree that breastfeeding may protect your baby from illness, including COVID-19? Breastfeeding is recommended even if you are infected with the COVID-19 virus. The virus has not been found in breastmilk. Think about your feeding plan before delivery, and talk to your doctors and community workers about what they know. 

  • If you are still thinking about your feeding plan, consider breastfeeding. It is a food, a medicine, and an emergency supply. Breastfeeding is one way you can help to protect your baby. 
  • If you are a breastfeeding mother with an older baby and you get sick, keep breastfeeding! If possible, wear a mask during feedings. When you are not feeding, try to keep six feet away from your baby. Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face. Stay home.
  • If you are too sick to breastfeed or are separated from your baby, try to pump. Any breast milk helps protect your baby from all kinds of infection. Remember, resources are available to you. Reach out to your birthing center, WIC office, home visitor, or health department for help with pumping for retrieving a pump.
  • If you stopped breastfeeding and want to start up again, you may have options too! Call the hospital where your baby was born and leave a message for the lactation consultant. She may be able to help you get started. Your WIC office and health department also have lactation consultants who can help you! For more information on relactation, visit Le Leche League International’s webpage on Resuming Breastfeeding After an Interruption.

Your community is still here to help you.

There are many community resources that can help you after discharge, but some may look and function differently. Some offices may be closed, but most are utilizing alternative methods for supporting families such as remote appointments and other electronic services. How services are provided varies community to community. Reach out to your local office to find out how they are operating. 

Below are a few resources available to your family:

  • Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC): You may qualify for this supplemental food and nutrition education program even if you did not qualify before the COVID-19 public health emergency. Find a WIC location near you. 
  • Local Health Department: Contact your local health department. They will be able to direct you to other services available in your community.
  • Breastfeeding Coalitions: Breastfeeding coalitions are connected to many local resources. Find your local breastfeeding coalition and ask about resources available to you. 

Food Resources 

  • Your Local School: Some local school districts continue to provide meals to students even when buildings are closed. Availability differs from school to school. Check with your local school for more information. 
  • Food Pantries: Many communities have local food pantries. Check your local resource pages to see if you are eligible to receive food benefits from your local pantry. Some pantys also provide hygiene essentials and infant necessities such as diapers and formula.
  • USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Assistance: You may qualify for FoodShare benefits to purchase grocery necessities. Visit the USDA’s State Directory of Resources to get more information about SNAP in your state and to apply for benefits.

Other Resources

  • United Way 211: Professionals are available to help connect you to valuable local social services, including supplemental food and nutrition programs, housing options and utilities assistance, emergency information, and employment opportunities. United Way 211 is available 24/7 in every state. Learn more about United Way 211.
  • Local Job Centers: Many families are unable to work during this public health emergency, if you have been laid off make sure to your local job center for important resources to file for unemployment. 
  • Energy & Utility Assistance: Energy and utility assistance may be available to you. Check with your local energy provider to see your options for programs and services to help you during this public health emergency. 

Quick Links to Important Resources

Thank you for all your hard work to serve families during the COVID-19 public health emergency. We know you have seen all the important messages coming out of the CDC and other professional organizations. Below are some of the most helpful, regularly updated COVID-19 resources to help you stay informed during this time.

Feel free to contact us at solutions@coffective.com with any questions about resources available. 

Stay Up-to-Date: Communicate with Community Partners

During the rapidly-evolving COVID-19 public health emergency, it is important for community organizations to maintain communication and stay up-to-date on current practices and services. Consider sharing any information regarding changes in your agency’s services and procedures that would be important for your community partners — such as hospitals and prenatal clinics —  to be aware of and communicate to families.

  • Template for Communication: Access a template email for local WIC agencies to send their hospitals.
  • Hospital Practices: Remember that state orders are limiting what services/practices hospitals can offer. Learn more by viewing the hospital tab on this page.
  • Coffective Support: Feel free to contact us at solutions@coffective.com with any questions about how to connect and communicate with others.

Share with and Learn from Others

It can be difficult to create and maintain policies, procedures, and materials that reflect daily changes around the COVID-19 outbreak. Others may have already created resources that you can use as-is or modify for your needs. Check out the National WIC Association’s (NWA) COVID-19 Resources to see resources from other state and local WIC programs.

If you have found a new method or created something that could help others, be sure to share it with your state offices and national associations as well! Feel free to contact Coffective at solutions@coffective.com if you are unsure where to share your resource, or if there is anything you’d like to know more about.

Quick Links to Important Resources

Thank you for all your hard work to serve families during the COVID-19 public health emergency. We know you have seen all the important messages coming out of the CDC and other professional organizations. Below are some of the most helpful, regularly updated COVID-19 resources to help you stay informed during this time.

Stay Up-to-Date: Communicate with Community Partners

During the rapidly-evolving COVID-19 public health emergency, it is important for community organizations to maintain communication and stay up-to-date on current practices and services. Consider sharing any information regarding changes in your hospital’s practices that would be important for your community partners — such as WIC and home visitors —  to be aware of and communicate to families. 

Some things to consider sharing:

  • Current visitation practices
  • Current mother-infant separation practices for mothers positive for COVID-19
  • Current breastfeeding practices for mothers positive for COVID-19
  • Information on newborn follow-up visits as well as OB prenatal and postnatal visits
  • Where to find updated information on the above
  • Any additional information or resources you’d like to share

Coffective would like to help your hospital maintain communication during this time. Access this template email that helps you share information policy and practice changes with your community contacts as well as to ask for any changes to their services in return.

Feel free to contact Coffective at solutions@coffective.com with any questions about how to connect and communicate with others.

Refer to Community Resources

It is even more important for your families to know about breastfeeding resources in your community during the current public health emergency. During prenatal visits and at discharge, pass on what you learn from your community partners about available services. 

Unsure on how to organize referral information? The We’re Prepared Checklist is a free, printable tool that can help organize and refer to community resources. Fill in the “Build Your Team” section at the top to assure that families know what is available.

Share with and Learn from Others

Hospitals and other public health agencies are in uncharted territory. There are many guidelines, but few studies to validate actions. Stories of success are even more valuable during this time. Share how you are supporting breastfeeding in your local community during the COVID-19 public health emergency by emailing solutions@coffective.com.