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Re: breastfeeding while pregnant, is it ok?From: Noelle (anonymous@obgyn.net)Tue, 22 Dec 1998 11:43:30 -0600 (CST)
At Tue, 22 Dec 1998, Dena wrote: > >My daughter Cheyenne is 1 yr old and we are trying to concieve, i have >started menstruating again after 20 months after being pregnant for her >and giving birth. The nursing is still a big part of her nutrition, >should i wean her when i think i am pregnant? >Please write back soon. >What should i do? MyCheyBaby@aol.com Hi! I'm not a medical professional, but I am a pregnant mom (12 weeks) still very much breastfeeding my 13-month-old son Max. I have done quite a bit of reading and discussing this issue with my caregivers, and the consensus is that it's quite fine to continue nursing while pregnant. Some people believe that if you have a history of preterm labor then maybe it's not such a great idea in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, but the jury's still out on that one. The biggest issue, of course, is adequate nutrition and drinking plenty of fluids. I've found that I tend to get more easily dehydrated now, so it's important that I keep up my levels of water and juice. I'm also taking a calcium supplement as well as a prenatal vitamin, since I know I'm pretty low on my natural calcium intake. I know Max is definitely not ready to wean yet - he still nurses about 5-8 times a 24-hour period, and sometimes more when he's sick. I plan on breastfeeding him until he decides to wean. I have been told and have read that many babies/toddlers wean themselves at some point during your pregnancy because the milk supply may diminish and/or may change more to colostrum, especially late in pregnancy. I'm curious to see if Max weans himself. I am preparing myself to tandem nurse both after this baby is born if he's still interested. If that is what happens, I'm hoping his nursings will have cut down in number to that point - maybe to more like 2-4 times a day (?). We'll see, but it's hard to imagine this kid ever giving up the breast - he's VERY into it!! :-) I would suggest picking up a copy of "Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy" by Elizabeth Somer, if you'd like more guidance on nutrition. She doesn't talk much explicitly about nursing while pregnant, but she has some easy to understand guidelines on getting good nutrition for nursing and for the various stages of pregnancy (and pre-pregnancy too, by the way, including the importance of a prenatal supplement or at the least folic acid prior to pregnancy). I discussed it all in detail with my midwife, who says that basically as long as I get pretty much the same kind and calories of nutrition that both a preggo and a nursing mom require (a little more than just being pregnanct) and especialy have lots of fluids, then all is fine. You may also want to either attend a La Leche League meeting or contact by phone a LLL leader to discuss your questions and concerns. I have found surrounding myself with breastfeeding supporters and other women who've breastfeed while pregnant has made a world of difference in my own confidence level. At first I was very concerned like you, but now we're relaxed about it and it's really a non-issue. Oh, one other thing - I've heard the book "Mothering Your Nursing Toddler" put out by La Leche League is very helpful with all these issues. I haven't read it yet, but I hope to be getting a copy soon (maybe from Santa? ;-)). Sorry for the length - good luck!
-- Noelle Haland Mama to Ethan (stillborn 12/2/96), Max (born 10/28/97)... ...and new babe due 4th of July 1999 <noelleh@earthlink.net>
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