Nursing a toddler and pregnant - questions!

[NewMom610]

I just recently found out I'm about 4 weeks pregnant.  We're super excited; however, I have a few questions since I'm still nursing my 13 month old.

My DS still nurses 2-4 times a day - usually just to fall asleep - and 2 times during the night.  He NEEDS to nurse to fall asleep.  It is a non-negotiable (except in the car).  He doesn't nurse any other times during the day, not because I don't offer but because he would rather eat solids.  I really want to cut out the nighttime feedings.  I can't imagine nursing a newborn and a toddler overnight.  I'll never sleep!  Any suggestions on how to do this? (we cosleep)

I am afraid if I stop letting him nurse to sleep he'll stop nursing completely, and I don't think that is in his best interest.  If given the opportunity to nurse or eat real food, he will 100% of the time pick the real food.  However, I'm wondering if I'm setting myself up for some crazy times if I don't wean him before bedtime.  Does anyone nurse both a toddler and a newborn to sleep every night?

When do I need to start worrying about my supply?  I started drinking Mother's Milk Tea the day after the positive pregnancy test, but I'm wondering if I should add Fenugreek.  For the first 10 months of my son's life I had huge oversupply, but then he almost instantly stopped nursing 8-10 times a day (while still eating a lot of solids) to 2-4 times a day.  My supply seems to have dropped pretty drastically.

Sorry for such a long post.  I just want to make sure that I'm giving my son the nutrition he needs.  If he weans himself before 24 months then I will roll with the punches.  I plan to evaluate our nursing relationship around his 2nd birthday which was my breastfeeding goal.  Then I'll decide if we're going to do mother-led weaning or if I'll let him continue nursing.

[Marissamom]

I wouldn't worry too much about it yet, nursing habits can change so much over 8 months. my DD nightweaned at about 15 months when we moved her to her own room, but  still nurses every night at bedtime and a few more times throughout the day. and watch it on the milk herbs, some of them are counter-indicated for pregnancy.

[HappyMonkey]

I got pregnant when my daughter was 11 months old. She nurses sometimes 20+ times a day it seemed and always nursed to sleep and nursed to wake (often for an hour as she woke). I'll tell you how it worked for us.

At about 22 weeks pregnant, my milk disappeared completely. But she couldn't have cared less. She still nursed to sleep and nursed to wake, but did nurse less during the day and increase her solids. She hasn't been fussed at all. She also started sleeping through the night alot instead of nursing regularly.

At 32 weeks (somewhere around there) my milk started coming in again, and she's again nursing on and off through the night, but still not nursing as much in the day.

I can honestly say she wasn't fussed in the least or upset in any way, and was still quite happy to nurse dry. It was a little painful for me when I had no milk and she started sucking, but that feeling passed within a second or two each time. And I fully intend to let her nurse as much as she wants when baby two comes.

I have read if you nurse through pregnancy, that your colostrum comes in faster, AND your milk often comes in at the end of day 1. So overall it seems great for baby to have the first still nursing. Do read Adventures in Tandem Nursing if you can. It's a great book. It relieved my mind... as my Mom was super concerned that tandem nursing would mean the baby would starve.

Congratulations on your pregnancy and I wish you all the best!!

Sheryl

[holz]

Oh my goodness, I came on here to ask the same questions- I could have written your post word for word, except my little one is 11 months. Looking forward to seeing responses. Good luck to you :)

[kmarie8284]

I got pregnant with my now two month old when my daughter was 15 months and still an avid nurser - nursed to sleep, throughout the night and many times during the day. I'd agree with the PP about maybe giving it a little time before you try to night wean. I couldn't imagine how I was going to night wean when I first got pregnant, but when my milk disappeared around 16 weeks or so, my daughter got a little less attached to nursing and it made it a little easier. We started night weaning sometime during my second trimester and took it very gradually. I more or less followed the Jay Gordon plan, but much slower. The last to go was nursing to sleep at night. It actually was much easier than I expected. That being said, she does still nurse to sleep for her nap, and since I usually like to nap while she does , I usually nurse DS to sleep while I read her a couple of books, then turn over and nurse her to sleep. Once she's asleep I turn back to DS. It's a bit of a process, but everybody stays happy and I get a nap. So, it is possible to nurse two to sleep.

I don't really think there is any way to keep your supply up during pregnancy. From what I've read, the usual ways to increase supply (increased nursing, herbs, etc.) are not effective while you are pregnant. I also believe that Fenugreek is contraindicated for pregnancy, so that might be something to consider.

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I'm sure you will find a solution that works for you, your DS and the new little one!