CLW and Pregnancy?

[strongwomyn]

Does anybody have any tips on keeping my supply up while pregnant? I have noticed a significant drop in the past few weeks, and although it doesn't seem to be bothering DD, I worry I will interrupt her natural weaning due to no milk supply. She is only 11 months, so I really want to do everything to avoid my milk supply from dying off at this point, because I know if she weaned, it wouldn't be by her own choice.

Thank you!

[TiredX2]

Hopefully someone else will have some better advice, but I didn't want your question to go unanswered.

While there are some herbal solutions, the thing that was most important to me was staying plenty hydrated.  When both my nurslings were older they would bring me a glass of water before they would nurse-- they could notice the difference themselves, lol.

With that young of a baby, though, I would encourage you to consider weighing her on a fairly frequent basis.  Now, dont' freak out if she isn't gaining--- a lof of babies really plateau around that age because of increased action (my DD was the same weight at 10 and 15 months!).  But she shouldn't be actively loosing.  While I was pg with DS I simply weighed DD each time I went into the midwife to make sure she wasn't loosing.  She ended up gaining very little during the nine months I was pregnant and then gaining about 5 lbs in the first few months of DS' life (that milk was rich).  She was a bit older, though, and didn't *need* to rely on milk as much (though she did--- my goal was her getting under 75% of her calories from bmilk at 2 years and she was just there).

Because 11 months is a very common time to have a nursing strike in addition to the supply issues you might face while pg, make sure you are offerring OFTEN and not limiting access as much as you can.

Good luck and CONGRATS!!!

[Abeautifullove]

I'm not sure if there is much you can really do about supply when your pregnant and nursing because once you get pregnant your body lives/works for the baby, and not the nursling.  Though I have seen many children go on to tandem nurse with their siblings wih np problems.  I'm pregnant myself, 14 weeks along now and my milk has all but dried up, theres always a few drops in there but not much else.  I have a great diet and drink lots of water etc. and it didnt really make any difference.  Though, I'am happy to say my 22 month old is still nursing anyway.  I dont see her weaning anytime soon, she gets on and isnt really eating at all, shes just on lol.  but as long as she wants to I'm fine with it.  

[kohlby]

I agree to keep a close eye on the diapers in case you need to supplement.  But that doesn't mean you will have to stop nursing.  30% of nurslings will wean due to mum being pg, but that means 70% won't - even if there's no milk.  So, there's still a chance.   My milk supply disappears completely at a mere 4-5 weeks pg.  At around 20 weeks, I get a few swallows back.  But my nurslings still nursed.   Another option if weaning does happen is to offer again once baby is here.  I've heard of some nurslings starting back up when the milk is back.