can I breastfeed while pregnant and for how long?

Answer 1

Yes, it is possible to breastfeed while pregnant and even after the new baby is born. This is called "tandem nursing". I put several links at the bottom for you if you are interested. However, you should be prepared for your baby to possibly wean him/herself during pregnancy if you are pregnant. Sometimes babies (or more likely toddlers) wean themselves when the milk changes taste (when your colostrum starts coming in anywhere from your 4th to your 8th month) or if your supply goes down (this happens to some women when pregnant).

I got pregnant when my 11-month old daughter was still nursing and she quit cold turkey exactly one week after her little brother was conceived. That entire week I couldn't figure out why she refused to nurse, why she wouldn't even take it in a cup, why I couldn't pump enough to even cover the bottom of a bottle while taking Fenugreek. When the test came back positive everything made sense!

But this doesn't happen to everyone; lots of women are able and willing to breastfeed through pregnancy and beyond. It's a fantastic way for your older child to bond with the new baby, even! Usually it is recommended that you feed your new baby first to make sure s/he gets the colostrum needed in the beginning (but I've heard conflicting views about this).

Answer 2

You can safely breastfeed as long as you feel capable and your nursing child wants to. Breastmilk changes taste and consistency during pregnancy--from the milk your older child is used to to the colostrum your newborn will need--so many times the older child will self wean because the milk 'tastes funny' or isn't filling them up the way it did before.

Also, if you experience symptoms of premature labor, your doctor may advise you to stop nursing. Nipple stimulation can bring on contractions in some women, BUT I personally would not stop nursing for this reason unless I had a history of premature labor or my unborn child was in clear danger of premature birth. A contraction every now and then during pregnancy is perfectly normal, and even healthy--the uterus is muscular, and contractions that do not result in actual labor (often called Braxton Hicks contractions) are a great tool to help your body prepare for labor.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Yes, but be sure to take your vitamin DAILY and eat a large variety of HEALTHY foods, especially dairy for the calcium. You'll also need to intake PLENTY of water to keep hydrated and able to produce milk. The fetus will take what it needs first, then the breast milk, then your body gets what's left over. So in order to make sure all 3 of you are getting enough nutrients, you need to make sure you are eating healthy. Ask your doctor or talk to a nutritionist that can give you an idea of how much of what foods to eat a day to ensure the proper nutrition of all of you.

Answer 4

Hi my daughter was two when the next one arrived I breast fed the two of them till the oldest was five the youngest three.
They use to touch each other while sucking and now the eldest is ten the youngest eight they are so close I say they are like twins but born two years apart.
My Doctor said it was rare to tandem feed but it worked for me both girls are happy healthy and love each other to death.

Answer 5

As long as you like.
A friend of mine had three children, all three years apart. She only weaned them off when she had a new baby to feed, and even then she sometimes had one on each boob (although I did find it a little disturbing that one child was almost 4 and still lifting up her top for a feed... felt like saying "give the kid a sandwich for crying out loud!").

Answer 6

yes, you can nurse the whole time...and after , nursing the newborn and a toddler together is called 'tandem nursing'
sometimes it can be a bit painful during the first few months to nurse ....but theres no reason not to go ahead....

Answer 7

Why would you breastfeed while you are pregnant. You need to wait till your baby is born to start breast feeding him/her. Unless you re into some weird **** that is.

Answer 8

once you start breastfeeding you will keep going until you stop and dry yourself up.
Women in the old days use to have a job that way by keeping there milk going and other women would hire them to fed there baby. I think they were called nurse maids something like that.

Answer 9

The whole time and even after.

Answer 10

it's not advised becasue your body is already working for two it doesn't need to be working for three you may not be getting enough nutrients because breast feeding take up a lot and help your uterus contract