Earlier labor when nursing toddler?

[LadyBee]

I am curious if those of you who nursed a child through pregnancy went into labor earlier. My MW and doula have both mentioned that nursing may make me go a week or so early, but I wondered if this actually happened to anyone. DS #1 was born right after his due date and nurses a few times a day and I have been getting pretty strong BH for the past few days when he does so (I'm 36w4d). Please share your experiences!

[pixiepunk]

it certainly didn't help me any! #2 apparently never got the memo, and he was born at 40w4d - and that's after #1 made her appearance at 38w4d, so i thought for *sure* #2 would be early.

the day i did go into labor, the first ctx i felt was while i was nursing DD down for her nap. so perhaps once my body and baby were truly, truly ready it helped get things going... but it definitely didn't make me go early! and i was positively sure of conception date, and thus due date, so there was no question there.

[sarahn4639]

nak

dd=40+2 and ds was 40+5, so nope!

[abi&ben'smom]

No; and ds (2 years old) was nursing like crazy once my milk really came back at (7 months preg).

[Red Sonja]

Nope, DD came the day before her due date. DS was nursing like a fiend.

[bc1995]

I nursed through pregnancy #2 and #3. #2 (ds2) was born at 40 weeks. #3 (dd1) was born at 42 weeks. I nursed during my labors, too. I didn't notice a difference until my body was ready for transition. Then it seemed to help kick things into high gear.

[moodymaximus]

DS was born at 39w2d, while his 2.5 sister nursed day and night. not sure, this might be considered a bit early for me, as DD was born at 41 weeks.

this time around, i'm 36.5 weeks, and i'm having quite a lot of contractions when DS nurses and they last for a bit after he's done. these contractions do feel like the ones i had in early labour with the first two kids, but they never last.

my gut feeling is that this baby will be "early" but who knows. i might be stuck with those contractions for the next 4 weeks!

[moodymaximus]

Originally Posted by bc1995

I nursed through pregnancy #2 and #3. #2 (ds2) was born at 40 weeks. #3 (dd1) was born at 42 weeks. I nursed during my labors, too. I didn't notice a difference until my body was ready for transition. Then it seemed to help kick things into high gear.

when i nursed in labour my contractions intensified 10-fold. i actually think DD nursing contributed to a rather fast labour.

[LadyBee]

when i nursed in labour my contractions intensified 10-fold. i actually think DD nursing contributed to a rather fast labour.

Hmm I never thought about that! I may have to encourage DS to nurse some during labor. Sounds like we are having similar experiences right now w/BHC. I too feel like this baby may be at least a bit early, but who knows!

[tireesix]

Nope, was nursing DD1 and still went to nearly 43 weeks with DD2 although nursing during labour did seem to speed things up, certainly made things more intense.

[Nan'sMom]

Nope, not true at all here. Dd1 came at 37 weeks, dd2 almost at 42 weeks, and dd1 nursed a LOT through the pregnancy, especially in the day or two before dd2 was born and more colostrum started coming in.