Nursing mommas.... - Page 3

[emmaegbert]

I did ask my MWs about this too. They said that its normally not a worry (perhaps if there was a risk of preterm labor, things would be different). They said as EDD approaches its possible that nursing could make contractions stronger/more intense but didn't seem to think that it would *start* labor. Might augment it. They also both agreed that a child my daughter's age (almost 2.5) is probably not really nursing enough or with enough vigor to have that much effect.

Originally Posted by mambera 

I'm reviving this thread to ask about nursing and Braxton-Hicks?  The nursing-induced contractions are quite strong and very uncomfortable, is this going to throw me into premature labor?  I'm 34 weeks right now and I have SO MUCH to get done at work before this baby comes, I really do not want to go early *at all* (meaning before 40 weeks, never mind the obvious reasons to avoid having a preemie or near-preemie baby).  DD came at 38 wks 5 days and I was so not ready.

[emmaegbert]

I did ask my MWs about this too. They said that its normally not a worry (perhaps if there was a risk of preterm labor, things would be different). They said as EDD approaches its possible that nursing could make contractions stronger/more intense but didn't seem to think that it would *start* labor. Might augment it. They also both agreed that a child my daughter's age (almost 2.5) is probably not really nursing enough or with enough vigor to have that much effect.

Originally Posted by mambera 

I'm reviving this thread to ask about nursing and Braxton-Hicks?  The nursing-induced contractions are quite strong and very uncomfortable, is this going to throw me into premature labor?  I'm 34 weeks right now and I have SO MUCH to get done at work before this baby comes, I really do not want to go early *at all* (meaning before 40 weeks, never mind the obvious reasons to avoid having a preemie or near-preemie baby).  DD came at 38 wks 5 days and I was so not ready.

[PseudoDiva]

Ladies...I want to give up, and I don't know how.  

I don't really want to give up, but this morning DS woke up at 5:30am and would not be content until he nursed.  DH tried to help, but I ended up nursing him for at least 45 minutes before finally cutting him off, which resulted in many tears.  He was overtired from church yesterday.  

It hurt SO bad, and I just wanted to crawl out of my skin.  Normally I don't mind, and I really look forward to our evening nursings.  He has been coming to bed with me to nurse since he was a tiny guy and I don't know how I could convince him not to do it anymore.  I did try to make sure his latch was better, but he was half asleep, so I had limited success. 

It doesn't help, feeling like just about everyone I know is against what I'm doing.  No one has said anything really against it, but it's a general sense I get and I'm super sensitive right now.  My MW is great about it and very encouraging.  I'll see her tomorrow and I'll have to ask if she has ideas.  

[newyorkmommy]

Hm. Thanks for bringing up the BHs. My little one has been super keen to nurse lately but for the last week in particular I've noticed a cramping that seems to last the entire nursing session, even if I just do it once a day, when I'm putting her to sleep at night. The discomfort is one thing but mostly I worry about my old incision holding. I'm going to ask my OB about that at this afternoon's visit. I'm scheduled for delivery in just a few days, so hopefully he won't say it's a big deal to nurse just a few more times. Or, I could just use my common sense and stop when it feels really tight. However by that point she's usually almost asleep and if I take her off the boob before she's really done, there will be many tears.

PseudoDiva, I would encourage you to keep going if that's what you want to do. Definitely don't stop because of the feeling that others don't understand or approve. I always have to remind myself that I'm never going to make everyone happy all of the time, so when it comes to important things like decisions about my kids, I really only have space in my brain to be accountable to myself. Y'know? I know the discomfort is hard, I have that too, but I also feel like if it's just a few more weeks, I can do it. Maybe I'm crazy, but I'm expecting the nipple pain to be much less if not immediately after the birth, then within a week or two. I hope!