Nursing While Pregnant

Nursing While Pregnant

Your little one is not weaned yet and you’re pregnant again. Do you have to wean him right away? The short answer is no. It is not harmful to continue nursing while pregnant. Here are some things to keep in mind if you decide to keep nursing during your pregnancy (and afterwards!).

-In some women, the hormonal changes that occur with pregnancy cause their milk supply to decrease or dry up. If this happens to you, it may be necessary to supplement your baby’s diet, depending on his age. If your baby is already eating solids, it may not be necessary to do so, but baby will need extra fluids to replace the breastmilk.

-During the first trimester and sometimes beyond, you may find it difficult to find the energy to do many of your normal daily tasks. Take it easy on yourself and lower your expectations. Breastfeeding your baby is no exception. If continuing to nurse is very important to you, take time to nap when your baby naps and go to bed as early as possible. You may also need to let some of your normal household chores slide in order to conserve your energy. During my first trimester I always experienced severe morning (and afternoon and night!) sickness, and nursing my toddler was a welcome respite from their constant activity. It was a change to get a break and put my feet up, and help the toddler nap too.

Moms who have tandem nursed have found that the older baby experiences less sibling rivalry and feels less displaced by the birth of the new baby, so it’s definitely worth considering.

- Nursing may be uncomfortable during certain times of your pregnancy. When hormones are making your nipples sensitive, pay extra attention to proper positioning and latch on. You can’t afford to get sloppy with an older baby or toddler. There are some more tips on preventing nipple pain here. Using a dab of all natural lanolin may help too. You may also feel “antsy” from time to time. That’s normal. Adventures in Tandem Nursing has lots of great suggestions and stories from moms who have been there.

- Remember that since nursing is a relationship, there is nothing wrong with setting limits with your nursling in order to make yourself more comfortable. Some moms have found that telling their toddler ahead of time that they will nurse “until we sing the ABC song” or finish reading a story, or something concrete that the child can understand, helps.

-Getting nutrition when you are either nursing or pregnant can be challenging. If you’re doing both, it’s doubly important. Make sure to eat enough and to eat a balanced diet. I have to recommend The Fit and Healthy Pregnancy Guide for advice. It is the best book I’ve ever read on the subject, and it even contains mom friendly exercise suggestions.

Tags: nursing during pregnancy, nutrition during breastfeeding, tandem nursing