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Breastfeeding While Positive With COVID
The Beginning
It was Monday January 31, 2022 when I woke up with a sore throat. After going to my local chiropractor to get a rapid COVID test the doctor came to my car window and held up a plus sign. He was very comforting in my emotional state and made sure I was ok to drive home. I had a feeling I was positive since having to take care of my son who unfortunately tested positive Friday January 28, 2022. My 4 month old son who was also tested on that same Friday test negative to both a rapid and lab test thank goodness. My husband is fully vaccinated, which I found out per CDC means you got the vaccine plus a booster. I was only vaccinated, having just the vaccine and no booster. I thankfully just received my second dose of moderna on January 1st, 2022. My husband got tested right after me on the same Monday and he thankfully tested negative. Having a 4 month old and a 3 year old while your husband is working and one having COVID put my stress level into full overdrive. I could not let my emotions cloud my judgment and I had to act quickly and efficiently in order to provide the best for my family. In order to survive a situation like this or any situation in fact it is best to have a game plan and to discuss it with your loved ones.
Game Plan
Our game plan consisted of the following: Isolate each child in their room, my husband took our room, and I took the couch. We live in a 2 story home so this allowed for him to be upstairs with the kids in case either of them needed him. My husband and I both wore masks and I in fact wore double masks. I took the downstairs bathroom and he took the upstairs bathroom. We put our extra TV in our 3 year old son’s room and kept the Paw Patrol movie (his favorite) on repeat. Upon entering our 4 month old’s room we made sure to have clean clothes that had not been around our 3 year old son who tested positive (yes this means having 2 outfits throughout the day changing back and forth). We made sure to wash our hands prior to entering or putting on hand sanitizer prior to holding the baby. We thankfully were able to have an air purifier in each room to help with air circulation and keeping germs out. I also ordered new masks after reading Yes, You Need To Use A Better Masks I found N95 Respirators and KN95 Face Masks. I learned how to properly sanitize clothes when washing them after reading How to Disinfect Your Laundry When Someone's Sick and found OxiClean Laundry & Home Sanitizer for Laundry, Kitchen, Bath, Carpet & Upholstery, 2.5 Lbs - Walmart.com.
Day To Day
With constant temperature checks on the whole family, writing a medication log on our family board, making sure our refrigerator and deep freezer were stocked, making sure we had all the necessary cleaning supplies, cleaning and sanitizing everything, washing clothes (so much laundry!), washing hands, and making food to eat where in the world was I going to find time to sit down with baby to breastfeed!?! I put extreme worry on myself to not be around the baby since I was positive so instead I had my husband use the frozen breast milk supply to bottle feed the baby and take care of the baby while I pumped and took care of everything else since he was the only healthy adult in the home. This worked out when my husband was home, but he had events he had to attend and go to work so I had to find the courage to feed my son. I was EXTREMELY terrified to even hold our son in fear that I had not surgically washed my hands so if there was a spot not clean and it got on the baby then the baby would get COVID. I had washed my hands so much to the point I had to put triple antibiotic ointment on my knuckles because they were so cracked and no lotion or baby oil was keeping them moisturized. I actually ended up wearing exam gloves in order to provide the ultimate protection. Now everyone knows you need to be able to relax to allow your milk to drop. Thankfully milk came out because I will tell you this I was NOT relaxed! My husband thankfully wanted to get security cameras outside of our home for protection and I found WYZE Cam Outdoor Starter Bundle. I am so glad he decided this because I took one of the cameras and put it inside so that I could monitor my 3 year old when I had to feed and attend to the baby when he decided to run around the home.
I needed to ease my mind because I was up at night cleaning and sanitizing everything, barely able to get any sleep, which I so desperately needed. I had thankfully had a Fogger Machine and Disinfectant Cleaner to disinfect our home and even opened our windows. I had to do as much deep cleaning at night as I could because during the day I was extremely busy up and down the stairs back and forth taking care of this and that (OMG so many dishes and breast pump parts!), changing clothes 10 times, washing hands and finding the time to at least sit down for bathroom breaks. I eventually found it best to drink and eat in our garage so that way I didn’t take off my mask when inside the home and this at least gave me a little break.
Coping
In order to cope with everything going on I reached out to others. I first reached out to my best friend who went through this situation already. She had COVID, recently had a baby, was still breastfeeding, and was not vaccinated. Her son turned out just fine and did not get COVID while she took care of him! This gave me hope.
I also reached out to people I knew who were knowledgeable enough to help me answer my questions of concern. I contacted my first son’s lactation consultant now, mind you 3 years had passed and she was still at the same hospital! It was amazing to hear her voice again. She got me started on my breastfeeding journey in the first place. She told me breastfeeding is the best option even though I was positive. She said to make sure to take the necessary precautions (masks and handwashing). She mentioned me getting COVID and breastfeeding was giving my lil one the antibodies he needed in order to fight the virus. She even told me how her foster child who was under 2 got COVID and he turned out just fine, no hospitalization required basically had a cold. Prior to calling her I reached out but left a voicemail with a lactation consultation for the hospital my second son was born from. They called me back and advised me of the exact same thing. She even told me how she was in the same situation with her child and she breastfed her child and they did not get COVID. I asked her if it was safe for the pumped milk to be given to the baby having been pumped in the home where COVID was present. She advised the fresh milk was safe to give to the baby as long as all hygiene steps were taken (washing hands and washing and sterilizing breast pump parts). She said my breast milk was like a vaccine for baby! I had also made an appointment with MyGerber Baby Experts Have Your Back, 24/7 | Gerber for a lactation consultant. She advised me also of the same thing and even said the saliva from the baby’s mouth will tell me body what the baby needs. I asked her if it was necessary to wash my nipples prior to breastfeeding. I found this information from Nipple care for breastfeeding mums | Breast care | Medela and she confirmed that it was not necessary to wash my nipples with warm water prior to each feeding. She advised if wearing nursing pads to only change them if they are wet in order to prevent yeast/bacteria from growing. You do still need to shower, but don’t wash with soap per Nipple care for breastfeeding mums | Breast care | Medela.
Conclusion
I found my strength after talking with the 3 different lactation consultants and have now gone back to breastfeeding my son. My doctor told me to take 1000mg of vitamin C that I am getting from Emergen-C, 2000iu of Vitamin D, and 50mg of zinc. I was also advised to lay down on my stomach when sleeping to keep my lungs working. I also am taking a prenatal vitamin so I am getting my immune system built up! My 3 year old is doing great and full of energy! I discovered Zarbee's Naturals Children's Elderberry for my 3 year old to take to build up his immune system as I learned that after being positive for COVID you are immune for 90 days. My husband does bottle feed the baby using the milk pumped from when I tested positive (since it contains antibodies) in the morning. That way it gives him time with the baby and allows me to pump my overfilled breasts. I can’t tell you how amazing it is to have lactation consultants available. They have been through this and know first hand what it is like. They helped take my stress away, when I was on the verge of a major meltdown in the situation there was no time for a melt down. If you ever have any concerns or questions about breastfeeding just reach out to your local hospital and ask for a lactation consultant or MyGerber Baby Experts Have Your Back, 24/7 | Gerber and set up an appointment with a lactation consultant. You don’t have to do it all on your own.
Traveling While Breastfeeding
According to What To Expect breastfeeding in public is legal in all 50 states. Check out their site to learn more.
If you are not comfortable nursing in public you are not alone. Bring a nursing scarf to discreetly breastfeed your lil one in public. I recommend to try the nursing scarf at home so your lil one gets used to it and it is not a shock when trying it out in public. Also you can call or look up ahead of time to see if the store you are going to has nursing rooms. I found certain Wal-Marts and shopping malls have them. You can also nurse in any fitting room or of course your car!
Pumping & Storing Breast milk
If your going to be away from your baby then bring the following to be able to pump while on the go:
Cooler
Ice packs
Breast pump and pumping supplies
Car adapter
Ziploc bag for dirty parts
You can store milk inside a cooler for up to 24 hours with frozen ice packs. You can always get ice to add along with the ice packs from any gas station or fast food restaurant to put in your cooler in case you get concerned about the temperature. Check out CDC and Wikihow To Keep Breast Milk Cold Without A Fridge for this information and more on traveling with breast milk.
Someone Else Traveling With Or Watching Baby
If baby is traveling with dad or another family member for example they will need the following;
Cooler with ice pack
Frozen breast milk or expressed breast milk
Travel Baby Bottle Warmer or insulated soup container
Bottles (based on potential number of feeds for time period while traveling or being watched)
If using expressed breast milk I recommend to go ahead and pour it in the bottles so it is ready. Keep the milk in the cooler until it is time to use it. You will pour boiled water into the travel bottle warmer or insulated soup container PRIOR TO LEAVING in order to keep it hot until it is time to use. USE CAUTION & BOTH HANDS WHEN POURING BOILED WATER!
Feeding By Bottle
Wash hands or use hand sanitizer prior to starting!
Never use a microwave to warm up milk.
Serving Steps:
If using a bottle of expressed breast milk then put the bottle in the travel bottle warmer (per instructions) or insulated soup container of hot water to warm it up. If the milk is frozen it will require a longer time to warm up since it has to thaw.
Lightly swirl milk around in the bottle, then test it on the wrist to make sure it is not too hot. If it is not at the desired temperature then put it back in the bottle warmer or soup container and then test again.
Feed baby bottle burping after every 1-2 oz to prevent hiccups.
Hold up upright for 20 minutes to prevent gas, hiccups, and spit up. Per CDC If your baby did not finish the bottle, use the leftover milk within 2 hours. After 2 hours, leftover breast milk should be discarded.
Emergency Numbers
911
Poison Control 1-800-222-1222
I recommend to print and laminate “Traveling When Breastfeeding” and take it with you or give it to the person traveling with baby.
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