Hi- Because I'm getting older and my 4 month baby (3rd child) is so easy, I am interested in having another baby. I don't want to cut my nursing time with my baby, but I'm afraid if I were to become pregnant that I would lose my milk. Are there any secrets to keeping a healthy milk supply and being pregnant, or is it a bad idea (maybe it's best to just wait 6-8 months to be safe). Any suggestions or pregnancy/successful nursing stories or scientific advice would be helpful. Thanks!
Thanks for all the responses, it definitely makes me feel comfortable about the possibilities of becoming pregnant and continuing to nurse.
Hello, from what I experienced I was able to keep my milk with my first while pregnant with my second. But I have read that by breastfeeding while pregnant you reduce the amount of nutrients going to both children, so for health of the children you should probably keep the amount of dual action minimun.
My sister-in-law nursed while she was pregnant and didn't have any problems. You should be fine. If you have questions you might want to ask your OBGYN. Just be sure you are taking your prenatals and eating healthy.
Years ago when I was a nursing mom, I joined Le Leche League. If you type this in on search you can find their website and it is full of wonderful information.
Hey,
I have two babies that are 13 months apart! I got pregnant when my baby was 5 months old! I didn't know at first that I was pregnant. My 5 month old started to pull away at nursing time. I was shocked that she might be starting to ween herself and didn't know what the problem was. Well I soon found out I was pregnant and asked my doctor about my nursing concerns. He told me that when you get pregnant and increase in hormone it changes the way your milk taste. Well my daughter did not like the taste and even though I did have plenty of milk... she wouldn't drink it. I will also say that it did make me more tired!! and that I wanted to drink water nonstop. he he. I hope that might help in making a decision.
I have nursed a couple of months into three of my pregnancies. My sister nursed all through one of hers, and kept nursing both kids for a while after so I know it is possible. Just make sure you are working with your doctor on your nutritional needs so your pregnancy/nursing doesn't sap all of the nutrition your own body needs.
What I have heard is that the milk diminishes at some point during pregnancy, though not right away. How long does frozen breast milk last? Can you pump and freeze some to make sure you have enough to last throughout your prgnancy?
From what I just looked up it is safe and not uncommon, I am adding a link to a site I found..
http://www.babycenter.com/400_is-it-safe-to-continue-brea...
The one above talks about some of the rare problems.
http://www.thebabycorner.com/page/208/
This one has a better overview. Hope it helps in your decision!
You might want to ask your doctor. I have no idea if this is true or not, but I seem to remember someone telling me they were advised not to nurse while they were pregnant since nursing causes contractions.
UPDATED: OK, so I'm an idiot. One can obviously breastfeed while pregnant, and my husband reminded me this advice was given to a friend who was high-risk. So sorry for the bad advice!
T.,
I have seen multiple woman continue to nurse while pregnant. The key is to make sure your eating enough calories to support both milk production and the pregnancy. Which will seem like a lot, but it's necessary. Also make sure your drinking plenty of water. Hope this helps.
I have nursed 2 children while being pregnant with the next one. The first I actually had to stop because of complications with the pregnancy and the second I stopped because the child was almost a yr and really didn't seem interested anymore. I know that it is safe and possible, but needs to be done with the knowledge that there are 2 children dependent on you---the one that you are feeding and the one inside. If you are consistant with nursing you shouldn't have a problem. I have actually know a women who at one point was nursing 3 children (a 3 yr old, a 1 yr old and a newborn), so it must be possible. Good luck with your decision.
