Nursing Mommas - 2nd trimester

[mimi!]

Hi mommas!

I just noticed colosterum (sp?) today on my nipples. Is this early? Anyone else? I'm almost 17 weeks. I can't remember when I started to see this with my first pg., but hey, I wasn't nursing then. So does anyone know then if this is then super-good for a toddler? Like some kind of immune boost or something?

[Glittergal]

Yup, I think I've got it too! I can't really express anything though, just notice when DD nurses. I am REALLY hoping she will be weaned soon though, she has cut back from her every 2 hr nursings to maybe once a day since I've been pregnant! All without my urging. She is now sleeping through the night and the break is lovely. I am hoping she doesn't decide to like the colostrum and pick up her pace again. For now, she giggles and tells me there isn't much there because the baby is drinking it. :)

[didelphus]

I don't have colostrum yet, just wanted to say it's been 4 days with no nursing:banana

[mrs rockstar]

My daughter wants to nurse all the time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And Mommy doesn't want to nurse all the time!!!!! So that's tough...finding the balance between her wants and my sanity. I have some milk left, but not a lot so I've been taking more milk two and eating oatmeal cookies. Has anyone else noticed an increase in the amount their child wants to nurse? I don't know if she's trying to make up for what she's not getting because I don't have a lot of milk by nursing constantly, but I'm inclined to think it's a comfort thing since most of it seems to be just comfort nursing. But maybe she does that because she knows I don't have a lot of milk? Oh I don't know!!!! :lol

[veganf]

I don't have colostrum yet, just wanted to say it's been 4 days with no nursing:banana

1 week for us! But my milk is still creamy white. There were a few painful/heavy/huge feeling days, but the milk is still there, even though he's not been wanting it.

- krista

[LillyGrace'sMommy]

Mine is going through different spurts, one day she only wants to nurse, and refuses a bobba or food, and other days, she only wants to nurse at naptime. I'm really concerned about how much longer I can keep up with this....I am not gaining any weight, which can't be good for the new baby........and of course the doctor keeps scaring me with warnings of pre-term labor because of nursing......I half listen to it like I half listen to everything else.....any help or thoughts?

[veganf]

Mine is going through different spurts, one day she only wants to nurse, and refuses a bobba or food, and other days, she only wants to nurse at naptime. I'm really concerned about how much longer I can keep up with this....I am not gaining any weight, which can't be good for the new baby........and of course the doctor keeps scaring me with warnings of pre-term labor because of nursing......I half listen to it like I half listen to everything else.....any help or thoughts?

I'd let your daughter lead the way, unless your body gives you signs to the contrary. I think it's still early to worry about weight gain or lack of it. I nursed through my whole first pregnancy without any problems. I feel almost spoiled that I may not have to do it this time!

- krista

[eightyferrettoes]

Mine is going through different spurts, one day she only wants to nurse, and refuses a bobba or food, and other days, she only wants to nurse at naptime. I'm really concerned about how much longer I can keep up with this....I am not gaining any weight, which can't be good for the new baby........and of course the doctor keeps scaring me with warnings of pre-term labor because of nursing......I half listen to it like I half listen to everything else.....any help or thoughts?

Can you go to a La Leche League meeting, or at least call the leader? The preterm labor thing is a bunch of bunk, IMO-- I know lots of women who've nursed successfully through pregnancy with no problems whatsoever.

And, AFAIK, there is no research to indicate the preterm labor is really a problem for women nursing through pregnancy.

And I think you really will gain weight when your body needs to. I never gain anything till at least 16 or 17 weeks. Heck, I'm 14 weeks now and just getting back to my pre-pregnancy weight after losing seven pounds in the early stages.

Just eat as much as you feel like eating and drink lots of water!

[3_angels]

How can you tell if you have colostrum? I thought a felt something wet come out of my nipple in class the other day but maybe I'm just paraniod...

[eleven]

We've cut out a couple of feedings during the day (one because we just forgot it often so it was easy to combine, the other because of pain) so we are down to between 3 and 5 sessions a day. I can't believe how GUILTY I feel! When it's very painful, I sometimes wish she would wean, but I am also terrified of the possibility. Maybe it's pregnancy hormones, but man do I feel :nut!

[mrs rockstar]

We've cut out a couple of feedings during the day (one because we just forgot it often so it was easy to combine, the other because of pain) so we are down to between 3 and 5 sessions a day. I can't believe how GUILTY I feel! When it's very painful, I sometimes wish she would wean, but I am also terrified of the possibility. Maybe it's pregnancy hormones, but man do I feel :nut!

I'm with you in the :nut feeling...the irritation on my nipples is enough to make thoughts of weaning sneak in, but at the same time I'm trying like crazy to maintain my supply because the idea of stopping freaks me (and her) out! Love the up and down of pregnancy, love it!! :lol

[the_lissa]

My milk has gone away, but my toddler is still nursing. I hope she hangs in until my milk comes back.

[turtlemama77]

Mine is going through different spurts, one day she only wants to nurse, and refuses a bobba or food, and other days, she only wants to nurse at naptime. I'm really concerned about how much longer I can keep up with this....I am not gaining any weight, which can't be good for the new baby........and of course the doctor keeps scaring me with warnings of pre-term labor because of nursing......I half listen to it like I half listen to everything else.....any help or thoughts?

Dropping in from July DDC...my doc also tried to tell me I should wean between 20-24 weeks. Firmly tell your doc that unless there is some medical emergency with your pregnancy, you have done your research and have made a decision to keep nursing, and you don't want to talk about it anymore. Unless you have a history of preterm labor issues, you should be okay to nurse through your pregnancy. Have you read Adventures in Tandem Nursing? There is lots of information in that book about nursing while pregnant, and lots of stories of mamas who have gone down this often bumpy road.

I'm about 22 weeks, and also didn't gain much weight until a couple of weeks ago. My doc has been unconcerned with my weight gain so far. Since my milk supply has gone down, I've been offering my dd healthy snacks in between meals and I take that opportunity to snack, too. Maybe that would help? Adventures in Tandem Nursing also has some information about nutrition for moms and toddlers.

Hang in there! I second the suggestion to seek out an LLL meeting for some support. NO ONE I know in real life aside from mamas I've found at LLL has nursed a toddler, let alone nursed during a pregnancy. It's so refreshing and rejuvinating to talk with other mamas who have been there, done that.

Please take care!

[Kindermama]

My dd will be one on Sunday and she's still nursing several times a day but mostly for comfort. We supplemented with ABM once she started screaming at the breast because I only have about 1/2 ounce for her at a time. :(

I'm in pain at latch on and now I have those creepy crawly feelings when she's latched on and it drives me up the wall. I distract myself the best I can.

[CatskillMtnMama]

Well, regarding pre-term labor:

If you have had problems with preterm labor in the past, nursing certainly **can** be an aggravating factor. The hormones released while nursing can stimulate a cervix to contract and open. Some people with preterm labor issues can still nurse though, each person's body reacts differently.

If you don't have a history of preterm labor, nursing is not a risk! I don't know why your doctor would say that.

Last pregnancy preterm labor put me into bedrest for over two months. Not something I want to take ANY chance at repeating. Especially not with a toddler at home. :lol Therefore, I chose to stop nursing a few weeks ago. If I had a lot of help around the house (and full bedrest was not such a big deal), I might have just kept nursing to see if nursing really effected my preterm contrax. But I just can't risk it.

HTH

[Azreial]

I'm still very milky. We're only nursing once a day during the week (I work) but 4-6 times a day when I'm home. Last night fil came over during our nursing session and dd wanted to play with him instead of nurse so she only ended up nursing on one side. I woke up in a puddle this morning and my "little boob" was way bigger than my "big boob", by this afternoon not to mention extremly painful.

I still don't know how I feel about tandem nursing. DH and I are going away for a 3 night cruise in a couple of weeks. So we'll see if she weans then. I don't really want her to but I'm not going to stress about it since I'm still not sure that I want to tandem. I really don't think she's going to wean anyway since the first thing she wants when she sees me is "that" :lol

[Glittergal]

Dare I say we've weaned?????????????????
I just realized DD hasn't nursed in 5 days or even asked! Today she saw me naked (usually an instant trigger!) and all she did was run up to pat the baby!!!!! I'm in heaven! I'm happy we made it to almost 2.5 yrs but also so relieved to be done. I really wanted it to be a non-traumatic experience for both of us and was worried I'd push her into weaning but I feel like she just must be ready! YEAH!! I didn't think I'd get a whole 4-5 month break from nursing!!!!

Anyone else????

[eleven]

Congrats to all of the mamas and babies who are happily weaning!

We're still plugging away at it. I think we've found a pretty good balance. I've been very stern about her latch so my pain has gone way down. She's still such a baby and looooooves having milk - I can't imagine she'll be stopping anytime soon. My supply seems pretty good still although something must have changed since her poop certainly has! :lol

[veganf]

Dare I say we've weaned?????????????????
I just realized DD hasn't nursed in 5 days or even asked! Today she saw me naked (usually an instant trigger!) and all she did was run up to pat the baby!!!!! I'm in heaven! I'm happy we made it to almost 2.5 yrs but also so relieved to be done. I really wanted it to be a non-traumatic experience for both of us and was worried I'd push her into weaning but I feel like she just must be ready! YEAH!! I didn't think I'd get a whole 4-5 month break from nursing!!!!

Anyone else????

Sounds like us! I was shocked that he didn't ask to nurse when he'd see me naked.

[eightyferrettoes]

You know, I thought my milk had gone away, but I saw some white liquid on my nipples after DS pulled off today. Would colostrum look that...white? Or maybe my supply is returning? Or maybe it didn't vanish like I thought it did?

Either way, he's still nursing 4 or 5 times a day, more often when I'm home, less often on days I'm in class. He ramped it up over spring break, which made me feel better. I'd been scared he was weaning on me.

[carla72]

My dd told me through tears the "buubbys" are empty" It was so sad and I felt so bad. I hope my colostrum comes in soon and she hangs in there.

[mrs rockstar]

My dd told me through tears the "buubbys" are empty" It was so sad and I felt so bad. I hope my colostrum comes in soon and she hangs in there.

I'm with you...my daughter will latch on, suck for a minute or so then unlatch and sign for "more" and want the other side. Rinse and repeat until she gets frustrated and gives up. She's down to maybe 3-4 times a day TOPS and the other day she nursed to sleep at 7 pm and then not again until 3 30 the next afternoon!!! You know you've got nothing left when they go that long without nursing and you're not even close to full. Sigh.

[Kindermama]

My milk is gone. She nurses for comfort for less than a minute and there is no milk :( She just turned one on the 12th of March. I guess I made it to a year......

[carla72]

Tandem will be a whole new experience....hopefully a good one :)

[tatgurl]

I wish that my milk supply would go down. My DS will be 3 in June and his nursing is driving me crazy. His teeth are killing my nipples, and whenever I try to get him to change his latch, he get's so mad at me and starts crying.
I nursed through my second pg. and tandem nursed for 7 months. So, I've been nursing for over 5 years straight!! I would love to have a little break before this baby comes.
Anyway, I've decided that I'm done with it with DS. I feel HORRIBLE about it and he cries whenever I tell him that he can't have milk, but I just CAN'T do it anymore.
Last night was the first night with no milk, and it didn't go too well. He was up at 3am asking for it and crying on and off for probably an hour and a half :(
I kept trying to cuddle with him, but he was so mad that he would just keep pushing me away.

I just hope that it gets better and not worse from here on out.

[Sailmom]

my milk has been gone for about 3 weeks. DD still nurses 2-3 times a day, but just for a brief time before saying "all gone" and going about her business. I am at 20 weeks now, and willing to go whichever direction she chooses. I have read "Adventures in Tandem Nursing" and feel like I have prepared for any eventuality, so we will see what dd decides!

[AmieV]

I've got milk still it seems but we've dropped down to 2 feedings a day and one sometimes at night (she has actually been sleeping through off and on lately but shhhhhhhh! don't say it too loud, I don't want to jinx it!) I'm 18 weeks. We were at 4 feedings and I dropped one and she dropped one. It was waaaaay easier than I anticipated. I do plan on weaning. I originally thought I would tandem nurse but nursing is taking so much out of me while being pregnant, and after a 3 day solids strike during a stomach bug where DD nursed NON stop I realized there's no way I could do that at the same time as getting a newborn through a growth spurt. I also have been having horrific migraines this pregnancy that have gotten a lot better as we've cut back. She'll be 15 or 16 months by the time we're done and I feel like I should be proud but I'm feeling a ton of guilt. I wish I could get my mind around tandem nursing but I just can't. I do feel like it's time but I'm very emotional about it. Weaning and pregnancy hormones just don't mix I think! I'm very glad there will be a new nursling in the house within 5 more months. I think my main guilt issue comes from the fact that I will probably nurse this one till 2 and Abby missed out on that. I kinda wish I had considered more of these scenarios before getting pg but what can you do?

[mamamilkers]

We are still nursing strong here. I think my milk must have increased! LOL My boobs have definitely grown and DD is ALL ABOUT nursing. She asks alot. I have started needing to tell her that mama is tired, and that we will nurse later (ie after dinner, before nap, etc etc).

I must say, though, I am very excited about tandem nursing. I love nursing my DD and to be able to nurse a tiny baby again will be so wonderful. I might go in to mama shock from the ecstasy of it :)

Sybil

[LillyGrace'sMommy]

I am so upset!!!!! My DD won't even come close to my boobs right now.....it just makes me cry! I know there has to be something there, because I leak like crazy, especially when she snuggles on me, but she just turns her head away and gets so mad if I try to nurse her....I pray that she'll go back to it though, and if not sooner, I definitely want her back nursing when the new baby gets here! It just makes me that more frustrated at this pregnancy......I'm just not ready for another one, and I'm even more upset because it's a boy and I wanted a girl....I guess I'm just really emotional right now....gotta love those pregnancy hormones!