Congratulations! A new baby is on the way. Now you would have to do breastfeeding while pregnant.
Every mom must be feeling excited about this new baby but you can’t help wondering about your toddler, who is still breastfeeding.
Whether your toddler is exclusively breastfed or is taking solid foods along with breastmilk, we understand there’s always room for concern.
So, you might be questioning yourself:
Can You Breastfeed While Pregnant?
In most cases, you can continue breastfeeding while pregnant and many women had done or are doing this. They are still nursing both their toddler and newborn after birth.
It is not easy, though.
In other case, your pregnancy may not be planned and came unexpectedly, but rest assure that it is definitely safe for both you, your nursing baby, and the new one in your womb.
When Should I stop Breastfeeding During Pregnancy?
Breastfeeding while pregnant is totally safe but you need to also remember that pregnancy can cause changes to your body.
Some of these changes may make it hard for you to continue breastfeeding.
1.Morning Sickness
For some women, morning sickness can be a little hard to handle and the same time, breastfeeding also takes a lot of energy and nutrients from the mother’s body.
So, if you feel that your morning sickness is causing difficulties for you to breastfeed, it is advisable to stop breastfeeding.
You may also try pumping your breast instead of abruptly stopping breastfeeding since it may cause your breast to engorge.
2. Experiencing Spotting
Spotting of blood during pregnancy is not rare and often is not a sign of miscarriage.
However, breastfeeding can put a toll of the mother’s body, especially if the mother does not get enough nutrients or rest.
If you are breastfeeding while pregnant and find yourself spotting blood. Stop breastfeeding and see your doctor.
Are There Any Changes To Your Breastmilk?
Similarly to when you were pregnant with your older child, your body will start to make milk as a way to prepare for the birth of your child.
Meaning around the second trimester, your body may start to produce colostrum.
What is colostrum?
Colostrum is the “first milk” produce by your breast. Colostrum milk are heavily-packed with nutrients more than normal breastmilk.
Your body usually produce this type of milk during you second semester of pregnancy or later.
So, if you are breastfeeding while pregnant, your child may taste that the breastmilk is different. They may react to the changes. Some toddlers may not like the change of taste and starts to stop breastfeeding themselves.
Can Breastfeeding During Pregnancy Causes Miscarriage?
When breastfeeding, your breast will release a hormone that could trigger contractions.
Though traces of hormones will be found in your breast milk, these are not harmful when you are breastfeeding your child.
The contractions caused by this hormone are very minor and rarely increasing the chances of miscarriage.
Tips On Breastfeeding While Pregnant
Here are some tips that can help you through.
1. Check With Your Doctor or Midwife
First and foremost, in any doubt, consult your doctor or midwife first but rest assured breastfeeding while pregnant is not an issue.
Though traces of hormones will be found in your breast milk, these are not harmful when you are breastfeeding your child.
The contractions caused by this hormone are very minor and rarely increasing the chances of miscarriage. Still, there are certain circumstances that your doctor may advise you to wean your child instead.
Those are if your pregnancy put you at high risk of miscarriage, pregnant with twins or multiples, experiencing uterine pain or bleeding and you have been advised to avoid sex while pregnant.
You should seek your doctor for any advice regarding breastfeeding while pregnant.
2. Get Into A Comfortable Position
Nursing or pumping requires energy and can be hard at times when you have a baby and pregnant at the same times.
Make sure to sit or lie down in a relaxing spot when you are breastfeeding or pumping your breast milk.
You will also have extra time to rest if you get creative to find a comfortable position for you and your little one.
3. Monitor Milk Supply
Many moms’ milk supplies will start to decrease around 4 or 5 months after birth, thus it is important to begin incorporating other nutrition into your baby’s diet.
If your baby is satisfied after breast milk and they are growing according to your plan, then there is nothing to be concerned.
Consulting with your little one’s pediatrician or an experienced lactation consultant can be helpful at this time.
You can decide the order of your toddler and newborn to breastfeed.
4. Position To Breastfeed
As your belly grows, you may need to find a new position to breastfeed your baby.
The old ways of positioning your baby by across your lap won’t work well when you are nine months pregnant.
You may opt for the side-lying position. Your baby may be willing to sit or kneel or even stand beside when nursing.
5. Opt For Another Approach
If your toddler always nurses to sleep, mom might want to introduce another approach, so that it will be easier when you have a new baby. You may start by patting your toddler’s back or sing a song while nursing them to sleep.
Once your toddler is accustomed to that, you could try to sing or pat before you start breastfeeding. As you are doing this, your toddler may start to fall asleep before you can nurse them.
You can ask your partner to take over the singing or patting part or your partner may develop their ways.
It is definitely not best to keep nursing your toddler to sleep but sometimes it can come in handy for the baby to relax and doze off.
What Happens After Birth?
If you are breastfeeding continuously throughout the pregnancy, then chances are you are going to breastfeeding all the way until your newborn arrives.
You can continue breastfeeding both of your child after delivery.
Some people chose to breastfeed their two babies in turns while others choose tandem breastfeeding.
What is Tandem Breastfeeding?
Tandem breastfeeding is you breastfeeding both of your child at the same time. Basically, one child on each breast at one time.
Doing so can cut the time you take to breastfeed both your child.
