Breastfeeding through pregnancy? Is it possible?

[marinak1977]

Hi Mamas,
We're starting to think about TTC #2 sometimes soon, and I'm really enjoying my BFing relationship with DS (15 months). He still gets a lot of his calories from mama's milk, and I don't want our nursing to be cut short. So I'm finding myself thinking about all the possible things that can go wrong and worrying about getting a BFP.
Is it possible to nurse through pregnancy? Will my supply tank for sure?
Any encouraging BTDT stories will be greatly appreciated!
TIA

[Ellen Griswold]

Of course you can!  I did!  Everybody's supply reacts differently.  The book Adventures in Tandem Nursing is an okay resource and kellymom as well.  Good luck!

[woodchick]

Our DD1 had just turned 2 when we got pregnant with DD2. She nursed through the whole pregnancy and has continued on and is still nursing at almost 5yo.

I do think my supply went down around 15ish weeks, but she didn't seem to mind.

[Marissamom]

my DD was 13 months when I got pregnant with DS. she nursed through my entire pregnancy, including a little while I was in labor (I don't recommend doing that). I had a gradual switch from milk to colostrum that was complete at about 20 weeks. during thew switch, DD gradually started taking more of her nutrition from solids, but she still nursed several times a day. some toddlers do wean because they don't like the changes to mom's milk or lake of milk, but plenty will continue nursing through pregnancy with no issues. 

[averlee]

I've heard a lot of moms say they had decreased supply during pregnancy. But for me, so far, not the case at all. I'm only 9 weeks, so it's early to tell how things are going to be, but so far so good. I think my supply has actually increased a bit along with my biggening boobs.

[marinak1977]

Mamas, thank you for reassuring me! It is intimidating to think about adding #2 but I'm glad it doesn't have to be the end of my nursing relationship with DS.

[isabchi]

Yes, totally possible. I nurse on demand through the pregnancy with no problem or disconford. My oldest was 2 1/2 and she was eating pently of solids already. I only set some limitations after birth, because I was dealing with some impatience when I tandem nurse them. My oldest is almost 6 yo and she's almost weaned.

[KABB]

IT IS ABSOLUTELY POSSIBLE! 

Our son was born 07/07. We conceived his sister in 09/08. We nursed through the entire pregnancy. She was born 06/09 and we tandem nursed until we weaned 07/10. I am currently 13 weeks pregnant and currently nursing our youngest. 

Yes, we did hit bumps in the road but it was nothing we couldn't overcome (or weren't driven enough to overcome). 

[Kedrosami]

It must be possible because I'm doing it! I'm almost 28 weeks pregnant and still nursing my 18-month DS. My supply did dry up by 20 weeks, and now I just have a few drops of colostrum. DS doesn't mind. We did end up night weaning (quite easily actually) and he only nurses now 3-4 times a day and for short amounts of time, but he still absolutely needs it for comfort and shows no signs of weaning himself. I'm not worried about the low supply, but he's a good eater so I know if he's hungry he'll just eat more. And my milk will be back in full force in 3 months.

[Mama Soltera]

I did it too. At five months I went completely dry though. Since your child is so young I'd make sure you were really, really committed to continuing no matter what because it is more painful, many women dry up, and a lot of women will quit. Of course, once the new baby's born and your milk comes in there's plenty for everyone and I think it's good for their bonding when they nurse together like that. :) Best wishes!  

[Chloe'sMama]

I also nursed all through pregnancy and am tandem now (DD2 is almost 8 months).  Going well and DD seemed happy through the pregnancy, but my milk dried up by 5 weeks.  DD1 did nightwean during pregnancy and that was nice.  

Some kids and some moms want the weaning to happen because it doesn't feel good, it depends on the kids and moms.  I would really wait until you are OK with your DS weaning, because he may, or you may want him to...... You could be lucky and keep your milk and your nursing relationship the same though.

[Owen'nZoe]

Originally Posted by Mama Soltera 

I did it too. At five months I went completely dry though. Since your child is so young I'd make sure you were really, really committed to continuing no matter what because it is more painful, many women dry up, and a lot of women will quit. Of course, once the new baby's born and your milk comes in there's plenty for everyone and I think it's good for their bonding when they nurse together like that. :) Best wishes!  

 We dry nursed from 5 months on, too. It was uncomfortable and not fun for me, but DS was only 2 1/2, so I chose to just grin and bear it. He nursed probably about 3 or 4 times a day once I went dry. One nice thing about tandem nursing, though, was that my milk seemed to come in much faster once DS2 was born. Also, it was very funny to watch DS1 plump up as soon as my milk came back. He was starting to get pretty thin when my milk was dry, but had sausage arms again after just a few weeks!

[Mama Soltera]

Originally Posted by Owen'nZoe 

 Also, it was very funny to watch DS1 plump up as soon as my milk came back. He was starting to get pretty thin when my milk was dry, but had sausage arms again after just a few weeks!

That's adorable. We tandemed for a couple years too. I remember when my older toddler got that breastmilk skin glow again. :)

[pixelmixel]

Timely post for me... I have a five month old EBF baby and now I'm 6 weeks pregnant! I'm confused as to what happens to the first baby's nutrition if the milk supply drops and the colostrum comes in... what does baby #1 get?? I didn't plan on weaning him! He'll be eating solids by then, but he'll need his milk! Here's hoping the supply stays up throughout this next pregnancy - I'm taking some Whole Foods "More Milk Plus" capsules now to give an extra boost!

[1love4ever]

I am almost 17 weeks and have had no nipple pain or diminishing supply.  Everything is great!

[KABB]

Your body will make milk for the youngest baby. 

Originally Posted by pixelmixel 

Timely post for me... I have a five month old EBF baby and now I'm 6 weeks pregnant! I'm confused as to what happens to the first baby's nutrition if the milk supply drops and the colostrum comes in... what does baby #1 get?? I didn't plan on weaning him! He'll be eating solids by then, but he'll need his milk! Here's hoping the supply stays up throughout this next pregnancy - I'm taking some Whole Foods "More Milk Plus" capsules now to give an extra boost!

[Marissamom]

Originally Posted by pixelmixel 

Timely post for me... I have a five month old EBF baby and now I'm 6 weeks pregnant! I'm confused as to what happens to the first baby's nutrition if the milk supply drops and the colostrum comes in... what does baby #1 get?? I didn't plan on weaning him! He'll be eating solids by then, but he'll need his milk! Here's hoping the supply stays up throughout this next pregnancy - I'm taking some Whole Foods "More Milk Plus" capsules now to give an extra boost!

with such a young baby you may need to supplement with either formula or donor milk. if you intend to tandem, you may want to use an SNS rather than bottles so the older baby doesn't loose interest in the breast. 

[HappyMonkey]

My milk went strong until about 20 weeks pregnant then started dropping off. Until about week 22 I didn't have any extra sensitivity.. but now at week 25 sometimes the first second or two is quite intense then it goes back to normal. It was worse last week but it's lessening. At this point if I try to express I get clear drops on one breast and a few white/yellow drops on the other with the occasional very small spray. I would say I'm almost like I was near the end of last pregnancy when my colostrum started to come in.

Baby 1 for me is still nursing to sleep (and when she wakes, and in the morning), and occasionally during the day. She's suddenly sleeping deeper though and occasionally in the last week pretty much gone 12 hours of sleep straight! She's almost 17 months old now and eating well. If we are home during the day she nurses on and off, but if we are out she seems to forget about it completely.