Nursing a toddler during pregnancy even if there's no milk?

[To-Fu]

I am 23 weeks pregnant and still nursing my 24mo. The thing is, whenever I try to hand-express to see if I'm still producing milk, nothing ever comes out. My son doesn't seem to understand what I'm asking when I try to get him to tell me whether or not there's still milk in mama's tetas, either.

Is it possible that he's still nursing and enjoying it even though there's no milk? Has anyone ever done this before?

My nipples are very sore, but I'm inclined to keep up with it if I can. It is essential to his sleep routines and he nurses a few times a day for comfort, too. And of course milk will be back in great abundance once the next baby is on the outside.

Just wondering if this is possible and if anyone's done it before. Thanks!

[Summerland]

I did it! My 40 month old finally weaned a few weeks ago, I nursed her through the pregnancy of my 6 month old, even though there was no milk from 14 weeks on, my colostrum did come in around 31 weeks. She sure was happy when the milk came back.

[Gentle~Mommy :)]

I did it too, my son didn't care that there was no milk, he just needed his nursies and I wasn't ready to lose that bond with him either.

[rightkindofme]

I'm only at 10 weeks and my milk is going away fast. My daughter is telling me after nursing for only a minute or so "Milk all gone" and patting my breast. I get the impression she is going to continue to comfort nurse without milk all the way through. (I'm hoping.)

[sunfish21]

I did it and am at 36 weeks now. I didn't want to wean DD and my milk seemed to go fast. She got angry for awhile--signing "more" when she pullled off. But now there is colostrum and I think she will be so happy to get some real milk again! It did and does hurt, but I really didn't want her to wean...

[mosesface]

I am 15 weeks pg nursing a 23m old. My milk has been gone for almost 10 weeks, but dd still nurses like always. She does eat LOTS more solids now, but nurses in the morning, at naptime, once in the late afternoon/evening and at bedtime. I think she will be ecstatic when my colostrum comes in!

[etsdtm99]

my DD nursed through my last pregnancy with no milk past 12 weeks - she didn't mind - my DS is nursing now and my milk supply is dropping dramatically, he is eating more big-boy food and otherwise doesn't mind the change so far - it does hurt now.. (and did with my last pregnancy) and i don't really enjoy it, but nursing is something i am committed to doing for my children sooo.. here i am again.

[Katie T]

My son nursed threw my pregnancy with no milk as well. He just want ready to wean when it dried up. But I continued so he could have the comfort he was used to. Every now and then he latches on but I havent found a pattern to when he asks. It was def. uncomfortable but in the long run worth it.

[cmhermes]

While I did not enjoy the dry nursing my baby continued to nurse and still does at 40 months. I dried up fairly quickly and began producing colostrum around 24-26 weeks. She did not mind in the slightest. All she cared about was she could cuddle up and suckle.

[capsgirl08]

to-fu---
Thank you so much for posting this. I just found out we are pg with baby #2 and I am still nursing my 21 month old and hoping a traumatic weaning doesn't happen.

It is really nice to read such positive experiences! Hope it goes well for you, too.

I am already feeling my milk dry up...I think I am only a month or so pregnant, too...we'll see!