Why do children self wean when you're pregnant?

[Natalya]

I have heard of this happening quite a bit, and I was wondering if there is a specific reason for it.  Does your milk dry up after a certain point in your pregnancy?  I have an 8 mo, and just found out my pregnant (!), so I was wondering if there was anything I could do to help him continue nursing through my pregnancy.  I don't want him to be weaned so early, if I can help it!   

[dejagerw]

The milk changes when you are pregnant, I believe the sodium content goes up, making it more salty. Plus there's the supply reduction, and then milk drying up. If it doesn't dry up completely it turns back to colostrum near the end of the pregnancy. To keep your LO from weaning, just keep offering while pregnant. If they do wean, they might go back once the milk comes back in postpartum.

I highly recommend the book "Adventures in Tandem Nursing" by Hillary Flower.

Also, since your LO is less than a year, be sure to check he's getting enough wet diapers or you may have to supplement with formula to be sure he's getting enough.

Congratulations on your pregnancy :)

[Natalya]

Ah, I see.  I will def check that book out.  Actually I have been noticing his diapers have been dry more often lately but I was assuming it was because its gotten hot again around here and he was dehydrated...I will keep and eye on it.  Thanks for the info!!

[foreverinbluejeans]

Children wean because their mother is pregnant but it isn't the same as self weaning. Self weaning can generally be defined as weaning that can't be attributed to other reasons and that happens easily. Babies under 1 don't self wean because in they would die (humans have survived because infants breastfeed). According to anthropologists the youngest you can expect a child to self wean is between the age of 3-4 years.

Your baby may nurse your whole pregnancy and go on to nurse several more years! Best wishes.