I planned to wean off my 1-year-old from breastfeeding after a few months, but little did I know when I tested positive for COVID that I would not be able to breastfeed my baby again. Not being able to breastfeed was not purely due to testing positive for COVID but also due to personal circumstances.
With COVID cases in Kathmandu rising I was really careful with my mobility but even with all the precautions the virus sometimes cannot be avoided. The mental load of testing positive with COVID far outweighed any symptoms that I had.
Having tested positive for COVID I was in quarantine and the doctor suggested that I stay separate from my baby, unless there was no other caregiver. After a day of not breastfeeding, my breasts started feeling heavy. Having experienced painful breast engorgement during early days post-delivery, I knew I had to take action to prevent engorgement. I immediately called my gynecologist who suggested a phased approach.
The mild approach was putting a cold cabbage leaf on each breast thrice a day for 10 minutes. Initially when I heard of this remedy helping with breast engorgement I thought it was one of those myths like putting gajal on babies to help them see better. However cabbage on breasts wasn’t one of those myths and actually helped to an extent since cabbage contains anti-inflammatory compounds that helps reduce swelling.[1]
My gynaecologist then prescribed me medicines (including Vit E and Primrose Oil) that would prevent breast engorgement while still allowing me to breastfeed post the quarantine. But knowing the heaviness on my breasts, I knew I had to take stronger medicines.
I eventually resorted to taking the single dose tablet for lactation suppression. This worked immediately to relieve the breast discomfort but also meant I would not be able to breastfeed my baby as this tablet would put a permanent stop to breastmilk production. If my baby was younger than 12 months, I would have used an electric and manual breast pump to express milk since breastmilk comprised a bigger part of her diet in her earlier months.
While I had to put a hard stop to breastfeeding, I am really glad I was able to breastfeed my baby for a year. Breastfeeding is completely a mother’s choice given that she wants and is able to breastfeed.
For further information on stopping breastfeeding gradually or suddenly (due to various circumstances) please read the following article.
Click here for the link to the article: When Breastfeeding Ends Suddenly.
The article talks about how you can slow milk production gradually if you plan to stop breastfeeding and also how to use a pump if you need to suddenly stop breastfeeding. It also talks about a valid point of how breastfeeding is more than just a method of feeding. It’s a source of closeness and comfort, so your baby will need lots of extra love and attention when you stop nursing.
[1]Breast pain and breastfeeding (NHS))
