will breastfeeding my toddler harm my unborn baby?

Question

My daughter is 8 months old, just found out i am 4 weeks pregnant. I'd like to keep breastfeeding. Any risks??

Answer 1

Congratulations on your good news. Our daughter continued to breastfeed throughout her second pregnancy and actually breast fed both of them for a while after our second grandddaughter was born. No problems.

These links should be of help.

Answer 2

For the most part it is completely safe. You may experience some discomfort in the beginning or throughout the pregnancy while nursing. Pregnancy tends to make your nipples more sore and your nursling might be frustrated with a changing milk supply (taste or quantity) so they are not as gentle or careful as usual. Breastfeeding does cause contractions, but they are no stronger than those from sex...so if your Dr gives you the "ok" to continue having sex (and most will- unless you are bleeding or have a history of multiple miscarriages) you are fine to breastfeed.

I nursed my 20 month old throughout my 2nd pregnancy. The milk supply dropped alot, but since I was only nursing dd #1 1-4 times a day, there was not a huge supply in general. It hurt alot in the first trimester and I'd have to limit the length of her before bedtime session. I do have a history of preterm labor, but I chose to continue nursing. I never felt contractions or pressure while nursing and I doubted my daughter's 10-20 minute nursing session every night could cause much. I made the right decision for our situation.

The link at kellymom is a great resource. Something to consider would be do you plan to wean your daughter before your new baby arrives? or will you consider/try tandem nursing? There are benefits to both decisions and only you can know what is right. kellymom has alot of good info about tandem nursing too.

Answer 3

There are not any risks to breastfeeding while you are pregnant as long as you make sure you get enough nutrients. My oldest son was 4mos old when I found out I was pregnant with my second. I nursed him until he was about 11 months old, he weaned himself off. Contrary to what some people think, nursing is the most natural thing in the world. In fact the World Health Administration recommends nursing until the child is 2. The reason most people quit is because they find it inconvenient. When in fact it is what is best for the child. I let my boys decide when they are finished, which was 11 mos and my 2nd son was a little over a year. Formula can never replace what you are giving your baby when you breastfeed. I would visit a La Leche League website for anymore questions. They are very helpful and supportive and will answer any questions you have.

Answer 4

There are no risks, what you are doing is called Tandem Nursing.

http://www.kellymom.com/nursingtwo/faq/01safety.html

Is it safe to nurse during pregnancy?
Yes, in most cases. At this time no medical study has been done on the safety of breastfeeding during pregnancy so it is impossible to list any definitive contraindications. If you are having a complicated pregnancy, such as lost weight, bleeding, or signs of preterm labor, you should problem-solve your individual situation with your caregiver. Depending on your individual situation and feelings you may decide that continued breastfeeding, reduced breastfeeding, or weaning is for the best.

Breastfeeding Contractions
Although uterine contractions are experienced during breastfeeding, they are a normal part of pregnancy. Similar contractions often occur during sexual intercourse, which many couples continue throughout pregnancy.

Miscarriage/Preterm Labor Risks
This is a common worry, but it does not appear to have a strong foundation. A recent review of research on the pregnant uterus reveals that there is actually no theoretical basis for the common concern that breastfeeding can lead to miscarriage or preterm labor in healthy pregnancies. Instead the uterus has many safeguards preventing a strong reaction to the oxytocin that breastfeeding releases.

Interestingly, experts on miscarriage and preterm labor are not among those who see a potential link between breastfeeding and these pregnancy complications. Miscarriage expert Lesley Regan, PhD, MD, quoted in Adventures in Tandem Nursing, saw no reason that breastfeeding should impact pregnancy, even if the mother has a history of miscarriage or is experiencing a threatened miscarriage.

Mother's health
There is no evidence that a well nourished mother who nurses during pregnancy is at risk nutritionally. Breastfeeding does not increase a mother's risk for osteoporosis, even when the mother nurses during pregnancy. Breastfeeding reduces the mother's risk of breast cancer.

Nursling's health
Your child will benefit from breastfeeding into the second year and beyond. The milk is just as safe during pregnancy, but pregnancy can cause milk to dwindle and can also motivate mother and child to wean. Thus if pregnancy does cause a child to receive less milk, the child will receive proportionally fewer of milk's health advantages. Indeed, weaning before two years increases the risk of illness for a child, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Answer 5

Only to you. You will have to make sure you are getting enough calories and also make sure that you are taking your vitamins. Also let your doctor know that you are still nursing and that you plan on continuing. Also.. your older child will probably wean itself once you hit the middle of your pregnancy because the taste of the breast milk will change. So be prepared for that. It is called tandem nursing... google it and you will find TONS of information and even support groups for moms in your same situation. Good luck and congrats on the children. :)

Answer 6

If you are gaining enough weight and getting enough rest it is ok to continue. I got preganat when i was nursing my 5 mo.old girl and slowly weaned her, she was off the breast at 9 mos. For me i was too exhausted and my nipples hurt really bad.i was also underweight. Plus my doctor advised against it but try the "la leche league" website for more information

Answer 7

It depleats your body of the nutrients the developing baby needs for its long term health.

Your 8 month old can get all it needs from formula or milk and food. your baby only has what you can provide.

its not natural for your body to produce breast milk while pregnant. The body has natural defenses to protect itself, like, not ovulating when breast feeding to avoid the risk of losing the viable child, and your health, for a new baby. Although not every woman's body functions like that, just like every woman doesnt have a 28 day cycle.

You CAN breast feed while pregnant, but its not the best idea.

Answer 8

i don't think there are risks... but you should probably make sure you are getting enough nutrients for all three of you... that doesn't mean eat more period it means eating more healthy foods... fruits veggies lean meats whole wheat

Answer 9

I've heard that it may cause you to go into labor prematurely. You'll be need to wean your 8 month old in a few months anyway.

Answer 10

dude take a break between kids! Your body needs time to rebuild all of its nutrients and get back to normal before you pop another one out! lol Talk to your doc. breast feeding takes a LOT of nutrients out of the body for the baby...but the new baby inside you is going to be needing those too......Consult a doc. immediatly and take lots of vitamins and increase the amount of calories you are taking in