If I stop pumping now, should i expect to not be able to breastfeed for a second pregnancy?

Question

My baby is currently on breathing machine in the hospital, and doctors don't see her living long.(She has a very rare condition) They have all the breastmilk they could ever need for her from me right now so I am just pupming . My husband and I want to try and concieve in the future, but i'm afraid if i stop pumping, I won't be able to produce milk for another baby. At least, not as well as I have been.

Answer 1

That should not affect your ability to produce milk for a future child. I am so sorry to hear about your baby. I wish you and your husband the best.

Answer 2

Firstly I am very sorry that you are going through this, and I know that I can't possibly understand

Breastfeeding duration doesn't effect the ability to breastfeed subsequent babies. Lots of moms never breastfeed their first or even second baby and then go on to breastfeed with no problems.

However it would be a very nice thing for you to consider donating your milk to a milk bank -if one exists. Many other sick babies could use the milk. Oftentimes even diligent moms can not pump enough for their premature or otherwise sick infants, and these infants are most at risk from artificial feedings. I have a friend that is a pediatric nurse and she says babies often take a turn for the worse after they start getting topped up with formula. If banked milk were available that wouldn't happen. And of course some (very few) moms are incapable of making enough milk usually due to breast surgeries. These moms are very grateful to be able to buy banked milk to give their babies.

If you do decide just to stop, don't stop all at once. Drop one or two pumping sessions a day. OR space out the sessions by an hour every couple of days. Stopping all at once increases the risks of mastitis, which is very painful and will make you feel quite ill, and while it isn't truly dangerous it is best avoided.

Take care of yourself.

Answer 3

I am so sorry about this sad situation. I will be keeping you and your family in prayer.

You should be able to breastfeed another baby in the future. The fact that you were able to pump for this baby is a very promising sign - everything that needs to work does! I would advise slowly tapering off of pumping rather than quitting immediately though, because your breasts might become engorged. So, if you are pumping 4 times a day now, pump 3 times a day for a few days, then 2 times, then once, then once every few days as needed... Whatever schedule works for you and keeps your breasts from becoming overly full. Don't pump to empty your breasts but only enough for them to return to a comfortable level of fullness. If your breasts stay overly full for an extended period of time you would be suseptable to mastitis, an infection of a clogged milk duct. (Definately not what you need now.)

I wish you the best of luck with everything. I hope you are able to enjoy these last few days with your baby.

Answer 4

That shouldn't effect your future milk production, however each birth is different and your future milk production isn't guanteed even if you continued pumping all the way through your next pregnancy.
My heart goes out to you for your current child, keep a positive outlook, you never know, things could get better no matter how bad things look at the moment. Good luck.

Answer 5

Oh my gosh, my poor girl. I'm so sorry. Hugs to you and your family. I can't imagine how hard this must be. I want to cry for you.

One thing you could consider is pumping your milk and donating it to the International Breastmilk Project, and you would be saving countless babies' lives!!! They are an awesome organization, and I support them financially each month. I had extra breastmilk last time, and threw it away, before I found out about this organization. Next time, I'll know where to send it! Check it out!

http://www.breastmilkproject.org/

BTW, the answer to your original question is that I don't think it would matter. Your body will prepare you for the next child. But just think how awesome it would be to make this donation on behalf of your little girl.

OK. Totally crying now. God bless you. Good luck.

Answer 6

First of all, I am so sorry for your current situation. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.

However, the good news is that nothing you do with your milk right now will affect your ability to lactate for your future children. Normally, women stop lactating between children and the horomones during pregnancy signal the woman's body to begin lactating for each new child. If you have a healthy supply now, you will probably have a healthy supply for your future children.

If you are willing, you might want to consider donating some milk for babies in need through a milk bank in your area. There are lots of babies in need of breastmilk (for mothers undergoing radiation treatment for cancer, mothers who are HIV positive, or adopted and premature infants, for instance). Your milk could be a significant gift to someone else in need. I put some links below to help you research this idea if you are interested.

Answer 7

So sorry for your family.

Your body will make a new milk supply with each pregnancy.
I should know, my kids are 8 years apart!-)

You will want to taper off the pumping slowly, so you don't get engorged.

You may also want to try and contact a milk bank, your hospital should have the info. There are lots of babies that could use your extra milk and a bank will screen it and pasturize it.

Answer 8

Your body will produce milk with your next pregnancy unless you have a condition that would keep you from doing so. Your milk production is stimulated by hormones in your body after the birth of a child and is continued by the sucking reflex when your child nurses. You will have an unlimited supply. Don't worry, sorry to hear about your little one, you are in my prayers.

Answer 9

First of all let me express my sympathies to you during this horribly tough time. My thoughts are with you and your family.

I don't think that your pumping or not will affect future pregnancies and future post pregnancy milk production.

Just expect to be uncomfortable for awhile as your breasts will likely engorge. Speak to the doctors so you can look for all the warning signs of an infection *which you can get from clogged ducts and whatnot* They can also let you know other ways to avoid discomfort

Answer 10

Your body knows what it needs to do. If you stop pumping and concieve later you will have the ability to breastfeed all over again when the new baby comes. It is actually not recommended to breastfeed long while you are pregnant. Nursing causes your uterus to contract and could start labor. Don't worry, you will be just fine. I am sorry for you loss.