I'm still nursing my 14 month old (only once or twice a day) and just found out I'm pregnant again. I know he's going to have a lot of adjustments to deal with, so I'd like to let him keep nursing as long as he wants to. Has anyone else nursed through a pregnancy? How'd it go? Is it okay for the developing baby (and for the mama :)?
Hi H.,
If your body produces milk and your baby wants to nurse, by all means continue. It will not harm your growing baby in any way. Just make sure you eat and drink lots of healthy things!
Congrats,
S.
My son was 4 months old when I got pregnant and I was still nursing exclusively. I ate well and drank plenty but was very tired. It takes a lot out of you to be pregnant or to nurse a baby; both is exhausting. You body is going to nurish the children at your expense maybe taking vitamins and minerals from your bones etc, so, you need to eat well. Nursing will get harder as your belly gets bigger making it a challenge. If you are up for it....go for it.
BTW, I stopped nursing when my son was 7 1/2 months old.
plenty of mamas have done this & are doing this!
I have read posts where some mamas report that their older nurslings self-wean bcse as you get farther along in your pregnancy your milk changes & for some little ones, they make their own decision to stop...
www.kellymom.com is an excellent resource!
I encourage you to explore the broward babywearing group, too!
http://www.broward-babywearing.com/blog/blog_current.html
I am 36 weeks pregnant (now) and my son self weaned when I was 32 weeks and he was 18 months old. He nursed a little bit a few days ago more for comfort.
It can be done. I am glad he self weaned and I did not just stop because I am pregnant. Good luck.
Be thankful that you got pregnant while you are breastfeeding. I'm one of the ones that hasn't been able to as of yet. My son is 27 months.
I have friends that breastfed up until their milk dried up. Unless, you are medically unable to breastfeed, then keep doing it. Mother's have been doing this for centuries.
Hi, H.. I have not nursed through a pregnancy, but my roommate at the hospital where I gave birth did, and she had no problems whatsoever. We kept in touch for about 6 months after our babies were born, and she managed to gently wean the older one so that she didn't have to nurse 2 children. Her eldest was about 2 or 3 at the time, I think, because he was talking rather well, so he didn't need to nurse constantly or anything...he mostly needed it for emotional reasons.
Healthwise, as long as your body is not exhausted from taking care of your other children or having complications from your current pregnancy, it should be safe to breastfeed while pregnant. You may experience slightly more contractions than you did in your previous pregnancy -- breastfeeding naturally causes the uterus to be a bit more active -- but as long as you do not have a threatened miscarriage, your unborn little one should be just fine. Just to be sure, check with your gynecologist, but if you feel you do need to wean the older child, please do it as gently and gradually as possible.
Peace,
Syl
