Can you continue to breastfeed while pregnant?

Question

Has anyone ever done it? What are the downsides if so? If you're supposed to stop what are the reasons?

Answer 1

YES you absoutely can, dont let anyone tell you differently! there really are no downsides.. I can say that some babies will just choose to wean b/c your milk might taste different to them.. I was still breastfeeding during my last 3 pregnancies (one was a m/c). with my last child, my daughter did chose to self wean at around 14-16 months, I can only assume b/c i was pregnant? but who knows for sure

Answer 2

Giving birth to a new life is indeed a blessing which almost every woman would wish to have. How to get pregnant naturally https://tr.im/eNIkc
Enjoying the feeling of motherhood and raising a family would surely be a couple’s dream. Some get it naturally, while for some others things don’t seem to work as they desire. These reasons which stop a women from conceiving can be due to either physical reasons or truly physiological.

Answer 3

My kids are 2 1/2 years apart and I breastfed for the first trimester of my second pregnancy. My son weaned just before his second birthday. I was told that the taste of your milk can change in the second trimester. I have a few friends that nursed through a full pregnancy and tandem fed their baby and toddler but their kids were within 2 years of each other.

Answer 4

Finding out you are pregnant does not mean you must stop breastfeeding your toddler. Many mothers choose to continue breastfeeding throughout pregnancy, while others decide to wean. The following information may help you decide what is best for you and your family.

Relatives, friends and health care professionals may express doubts about breastfeeding while pregnant. Their concerns might include that you would be risking the health of your unborn baby. It may be reassuring to know that in a normal pregnancy there is no evidence that continuing to breastfeed will deprive your unborn child of necessary nutrients. In addition, according to La Leche League's BREASTFEEDING ANSWER BOOK, 3rd Edition 2003, page 407. "Although uterine contractions are experienced during breastfeeding, they are a normal part of pregnancy. .. Uterine contractions also occur during sexual activity, which most couples continue during pregnancy." Also, according to the BAB, page 408, "Currently, no specific medical guidelines exist that define in which situations it may be risky to continue breastfeeding during pregnancy, and prenatal caregivers vary widely in their recommendations." The materials listed in the "Additional Resources" section of this FAQ will help you address the fears others may express.

Needing extra rest is normal in pregnancy. Breastfeeding during your pregnancy may help you get extra rest if you breastfeed your toddler while lying down. Completely childproofing one room with a mattress or pallet on the floor would allow you to continue to rest if your toddler goes off to play. Who knows, you both may drift off for a little nap!

Some mothers develop tender nipples during pregnancy. Careful attention to your child's position can help. Breathing techniques from childbirth classes can help you cope with the increased sensitivity. The breathing techniques may also help if you become restless while your toddler breastfeeds. If your child is old enough, you can ask him or her to nurse more gently or for shorter periods of time. This will help with both your tender nipples and your feelings of restlessness.

Women who breastfeed while pregnant often find their milk supply decreases around the fourth or fifth month. If your breastfeeding baby is less than a year old, watch his weight gain to be sure he is getting enough to eat. It's also not uncommon for the flavor of your milk to change. These changes may prompt some older toddlers to nurse less often or to wean entirely.

If you decide you want to wean your toddler, it's easiest to proceed gradually. The approach of "don't offer, don't refuse" is one that has worked for many mothers. See if you can anticipate when your child is likely to ask to nurse and offer a distraction or a healthful snack instead. Avoid sitting in your favorite nursing chair. Be sure you give lots of extra hugs and attention. Remember that weaning a toddler can be hard work: continuing to nurse is sometimes easier for the mother. See these FAQs for additional thoughts on weaning.

After the new baby is born, it's not unusual for the weaned child to want to taste the milk or ask to nurse again. Some may not remember how to suckle, others will complain about the taste and there will be some who would be happy to resume a breastfeeding relationship. If you do not want to breastfeed the older sibling, you could offer a taste of your milk in a cup or spoon.

If you continue breastfeeding through your pregnancy, you may find yourself breastfeeding both an infant and an older sibling. Many mothers have found this arrangement, called "tandem nursing," is a good way of meeting the needs of both children. Your local LLL Leader can give you more information on breastfeeding while pregnant and/or tandem nursing. The resources below will help you to explore your feelings about breastfeeding both your new baby and your "old" baby.

Answer 5

Yes youc an bf while pregnant. I know the milk supply sometimes goes down though. You might want to ask your doctor when you would want to stop though.

Answer 6

Absolutely! You can even continue and tandem nurse after your baby is born, Here is some literature for you. Happy breastfeeding :-D

Answer 7

I don't see why not. Just stock up on some sort of "udder cream" to keep your nipples from getting irritated.

Answer 8

Yes you can - I have several friends who did. You just need to make sure you are taking in enough nutrients for yourself.

Answer 9

My cousin did and she had no problems whatsoever with it. Breast feeding is best so continue doing what you are doing!!

Answer 10

I was told it was "Safe" too.. But, not for me, I guess!!! I didn't even know I was pregnant, while I was nursing my then, 3 month old son... When one night, I was super tired, and I told my (then) husband I was tired and I had to lay down, while he continued to watch T.V., I went to bed.. well thank-God, I had to get up to go pody.. because, if I hadn't I would have died, in my sleep!! I got up, from my bed, and sort of glanced over at the bed, to pull the blanket back over, to keep the bed warm, for when I went back to bed... well , I saw a dark-shadow, as huge around almost (as our King-sized bed).. I didn't think much of it, because I was half asleep.. Well, the further I walked, closer to the bathroom, all of a sudden, blood just comes Pouring out of me!!! Like a water-faucet, I kid you not!!! I get in the bathroom, and sat on the toilet, and in a panic, I yelled for my (then)husband, to come "Quick" somethings wrong with me, Bob, I yelled!! He's like looking at me, like "Whats wrong with you, taking me away from my program, until he looks down and noticed the floor!!!! I said look at the bed, and see if thats blood, on the bed.. It was, so he called 911... Okay, we lived on top of a mountain, in the "Boonies" in a "Senior's Resort" at that time... They had an "Amateur-Ambulance-Paramedic-Crew" on call at the security gate, at all hours of the day & night.. Well, they came, and took me, while my (then ) husband, was trying to get one of our local gas stations to open so he could filll-up, the car tank, because the nearest hospitol, was 40 miles away!! Lucky me,hoh!! plus, my ex had to find someone to watch our other two kids, while he knew I'd be in the hospitol... Lo' & behold , we're going down 3000' mountain, too Sonora, calif.. to the nearest hospitol, we get just passed Jamestown, and the Ambulance, breaks-down... I'm having a "Anxiety-Attack" thinking I'm going to die, in the middle of nowhere, without my husband!! I asked the paramedics, if I was going to die, all the lights went out in the Ambulance, and it was the creapiest thing, I've ever experienced in my life!! I asked him again,if I was going to die, before my husband, got there? He kept telling me, an emergency Ambulance, back-up, was on its way, to calm down!! Well, we get to the hospitol, and the IV guy cant get a vein, because I've lost so much blood, there's all these nurses, and my doctor in this itty-bitty, room, and all of a sudden the doctor, starts to yelling at the Paramedics!! He told them "Why did you pack her?" You could have killed her!! She could have bled, internally, from you packing her!! He went on & on, at them, until they got "Real-small" and went out of the room, and were just peaking around the corner.. My doctor asked me, are you pregnant? Or, do you know, if you were? I said, "No, I dont think I was, am! They did a blood test, because they couldn't find, a fetus.. I think I accidently flushed-it, when I was panicing at home, over how much blood I had in the toilet, twice!!! Lo' & behold, the doctor, wanted me to stay in the hospitol, until I got a blood transfusion..thats how much blood I lost!! But, my "Evil Ex-husband" told the doctor, that I needed to go home, to take care of the kids.. and he wanted to sign me out!! My doctor yelled at him, and said, the only way I will allow you to take her home is if she gets a "blood transfusion" first.. My ex, explained to the doctor he didn't want me to get one, because of AIDS, being a new thing, at that time, to HIT America.. Well, then the doctor told him, the only way, I'll let her go then, is if she stays in absolute bed-rest, for atleast a week!! So, my ex, won that arguement.. And on the way home, he has the nerve, to tell me, I hope you know I want more kids, Christy... Then, when we get home, he says I cleaned-up, all your bloody-mess, can you atleast do the dishes? What an As-------e!!!!! Any one in my family would have flown, up there, to give me their blood, I have so many family members that care that much about me, and with the same blood-type, as me, too!! But, did he care, no way!! So, to make a long story shorter, just be very careful, is my suggestion to you!! Sorry, for writing so much, I needed someone, to know what I'd gone through... You have a Wonderful weekend! Smile! and Congratulations!!!