Dipika Kakar, who recently underwent a major surgery for a cancerous tumour in her liver, expressed her feelings about being forced to stop breastfeeding her almost two-year-old son Ruhaan following the diagnosis. “It was a major surgery. The first thing I had to do, which was one of the most difficult things, was wean Ruhaan in one night. I didn’t have an option. I had to do that. Main bahut royi…(I cried a lot that night). I had to wean him anyway as he will soon turn two, but I didn’t know it would be like this,” Kakar shared in her YouTube blog.
However, she also saw the positive side of the distressing situation. “There is always a good reason for everything. When we found out that my tumour was second-stage cancer, I was still feeding him. But then weaning off was good because I was relieved to know that he didn’t have to be fed what I was supposed to have, like medications, etc,” said Kakar, who also spoke about the challenges of being away from him.
Taking a cue from her admission, let’s understand why weaning off is necessary for mothers diagnosed with cancer.
Mothers diagnosed with cancer may face compelling reasons to wean their breastfeeding child. Dr Ashwini Rathod, consultant obstetrician, gynecologist, and infertility specialist, Ankura Hospital for Women and Child, Pune, said that the treatment for cancer, such as chemotherapy or radiation, often involves medications that can be harmful to a breastfeeding infant. “These treatments can pass into breast milk, potentially exposing the child to toxic substances that may adversely affect their health and development,” said Dr Rathod.
Additionally, a mother’s health can deteriorate significantly due to cancer, leading to fatigue, nausea, and other symptoms that can hinder her ability to produce milk or care for her child adequately. “In such scenarios, it becomes essential for the mother to prioritise her health to ensure her survival and the well-being of her child,” said Dr Rathod.
The emotional toll of weaning, especially under stressful circumstances like a cancer diagnosis, can be profound. “Mothers may experience feelings of guilt, sadness, and loss as they transition from breastfeeding, a bonding experience, to a new feeding routine,” expressed Dr Rathod.
What helps?
Dr Rathod said that it is crucial for mothers facing this situation to seek support from healthcare professionals and counselling services to navigate the challenges of cancer treatment while ensuring their child continues to receive adequate nutrition, whether through formula or donor milk. “Every situation is unique, and the focus must remain on both the mother’s and child’s health,” said Dr Rathod.
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DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
