Is it safe to breastfeed while pregnant?

[MyZymurgy]

I am probably just been overly paranoid... BUT I just got my BFP (yeeeaaa) and I'm still breastfeeding my 1-year-old son (also yeeaaaa... but ouch.)

It dawned on my this morning that maybe it isn't safe to breastfeed while pregnant. I remember when I was in the first week post-partum, breastfeeding was bringing on contractions. Could the same thing happen now and cause an early miscarriage. I don't want to quit breastfeeding, I am hoping someone can give me some reassurance. But if it is dangerous, I need to know that too.

Thank you!!

[ShwarmaQueen]

For most people it's fine. If the eggy is really attached, it's not going anywhere.

My bigger concern would be nutrition. If you don't have a stellar diet, I'd definitely get a good supplement. :

[Cativari]

Unless you have an underlaying medical issue ( weak cervix for example) it is perfectly safe to BF while pregnant. It does not increase the risk of or cause miscarriage.

FWIW I'm nursing through my second pregnancy. In the begining I was tandem nursing my two toddlers but DD weaned herself at a little over 3 when I was 12 weeks, abouts.

[aylaanne]

It is safe. If you're going to lose the baby, bfing won't have much to do with it, especially if your nursling is older and eating food.

[Beckamomof4]

I nursed my son to 23 months, which was the first 4 months of pregnancy. I now have a healthy 7 week old!

[bethjones29]

Yep! Just make sure you are getting plenty of calories and eating a varied diet!

[MissMommyNiceNice]

Still nursing my 2.5 yo and I'm about 16 wks pgs. The pain started to go away after a few weeks, but I'm still more sensitive to the damn twiddling than before. I did notice some drop in supply, but it's bounced back now.

[CrunchyChristianMama]

I was wondering the same thing. But doesn't your supply dry up when you're pregnant? That's my big fear right now as we are going to TTC next month.

[sarahtdubb]

Congrats on your BFP! I'm also pregnant and nursing (I think you'll find lots of us on MDC...), and I have found this site on KellyMom really helpful in understanding breastfeeding while pregnant and being able to answer people's questions (re: safety, colustrum, etc.).

[MyZymurgy]

Originally Posted by sarahtdubb

Congrats on your BFP! I'm also pregnant and nursing (I think you'll find lots of us on MDC...), and I have found this site on KellyMom really helpful in understanding breastfeeding while pregnant and being able to answer people's questions (re: safety, colustrum, etc.).

What a cool site! I'll have to read that thoroughly... but at first glance, I found this very reassuring:

Breastfeeding Contractions

Although uterine contractions are experienced during breastfeeding, they are a normal part of pregnancy. Similar contractions often occur during sexual intercourse, which many couples continue throughout pregnancy.

Thanks, everyone, for your helpful posts!! You are making me much less worried about it.

[onelilguysmommy]

Lots of us bf through pregnancies.
As already stated, unless you have issues already, that won't cause any.

Originally Posted by Evie's Mama

I was wondering the same thing. But doesn't your supply dry up when you're pregnant? That's my big fear right now as we are going to TTC next month.

Not necessarily, it depends on the mama's body.
I've nursed through the last two pregnancies and didn't dry up even when I was so dehydrated I gained 8lbs in less than two days on IV fluids.
Some will, some will have a drop in supply, some won't.

[marrymeflyfree]

I am 33 weeks and have been bfing my DD the whole time...and lots and lots in the very beginning, as I was trying to battle a severe and sudden drop in supply. No ill effect on the babe as far as I can tell. I'm gaining weight much more slowly than I did with DD's pregnancy, but that may be partly due to the rigors of caring for a very active 14mo, too!

The bf'ing induced contractions haven't bothered me too much until recently. Sometimes I just have to cut the session short because the BH just get annoying or because the nipple sensitivity gets to be too much. We have also (mostly) night-weaned a bit earlier than we otherwise might have, just to help me get a bit more sleep at night.

[melissarana]

I just had a baby on July 31st and I BF my 2 year-old son the entire time, with no complications. It’s important to eat a varied diet, and take your pre-natal vitamin, since you’ll be supporting yourself plus two growing little ones. Early in my pregnancy a lactation consultant explained: first nutrients will go to the baby in-utero, then to making breast milk, then whatever’s leftover goes to the mama. You want to make sure some good stuff is left for you!

Also, during pregnancy milk changes. This never bothered my son, but for some toddlers it leads to self-weaning.

Good luck!

[dachshundqueen]

Nursed through pregnancy and labor without problems. I was even dairy, soy, egg, corn and gluten free through most it.

If nursing causes you lots of uterine contractions during your pregnancy though, you will want to discuss nursing through pregnancy with your provider. I did not have this problem though, even during labor.

Liz