Breastfeeding my 15mo & pregnant - questions about night weaning & giving my DS cow's milk or...

[mellosmama]

Hello Mamas...

I am 12 weeks pregnant with my second & still nursing my 15mo DS.  My milk supply completely dropped when I first became pregnant, but my DS being the diligent nurser, got my supply to increase. Seriously, he even got that blister on his mouth that newborns get when they first breastfeed!  The only problem is he is waking up every 2hours at night wanting to nurse.  Add to the fact that I am pregnant & exhausted, DS is going to bed later but still waking up early (between 5:30-6:30)...I'm not sure I can last like this! I'm considering weaning him or at least night weaning him.

As soon as my supply dropped I became proactive at giving him other "milk" substitutes...goat's, cow's, non-dairy organic formula, keffir...but he hasn't shown much interest in any of these.  I want him to get the proper nutrition, but am at a loss of what to do.  

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Adaline'sMama]

Hi! I also am nursing my 15 month old and am 10 weeks pregnant. My supply dipped too, and now its gotten back up. Can you think of other reasons why he might be wanting to nurse so much at night? After two weeks of DD doing it, I ran my finger around in the back of her mouth and noticed two molars coming in! She only has 6 teeth, so I didnt think molars would be happening yet. Ive been giving IB proufen before bed and she hasnt woken up as much. I have also noticed that if I let her fuss for about 2 minutes most of the time she will just lay down and go back to sleep. (If she is full on screaming, I will nurse her or if its been a while, Illl nurse her.)

I have ordered More Milk Plus Two from Motherlove and it is supposed to help increase supply.

My DD has been eating cheese (she wont drink cow milk unless its warm). We have been giving keifer mixed with pureed fruit, cottage cheese and granola, and goat milk smoothies. She wont really drink any milky beverage unless it is mixed with fruit.

Good luck and Congrats!

[mellosmama]

thanks for the advice Holly!  I tried some warm milk with a little bit of agave nectar in it & my DS actually drank it.  I'm also doing more yogurt smoothies mixed in with all the wonderful summer fruit that he's been loving.

I'm  looking into getting the More Milk tincture, but I'm still considering perhaps weaning.  My midwife is even advising me to consider it.  That's a good point you brought up about the teething though.  My DS also is working on molars, but it started coming up before the frequent nursing incident, so I didn't even think it might still be the problem.

thanks again & congratulations to you!

[Adaline'sMama]

Just to clarify, I am planning on weaning. Im going to use the tincture until I begin weaning in October. I'd like to nurse her as long as I can, while still weaning her in enough time to get used to being weaned before #2 arrives.