Nursing pregnant mamas support thread [Archive]

Eaglevoice

11-04-2006, 02:06 PM

So how many of us are here? I'm 13 weeks pregnant and nursing my almost 17 month old dd. My nipples are starting to get really, really sore. Even when she's not nursing, I can feel that they are sore. It wasn't so bad until the last two weeks or so. How are all you nursing mamas doing? Does it get easier as time goes on? I actually just night weaned because dd was wanting to nurse all night long I just couldn't keep up. It's been pretty successful for us so far and we are still nursing strong during the daytime. To the mamas who are farther along...has your milk dried up? When did it happen? Did you continue to nurse with no milk? Just wondering....

gr8tfulmom

11-04-2006, 02:27 PM

I'm *just* pregnant and nursing my 13.5 m/o and I'm right there with you on the nipple pain. This morning I noticed a ring of chapped nipple skin - ouch - I'm using lanolin and encouraging him to be gentle. I've already had a dip in supply and have upped the water and oatmeal to try and bring it back up. I hope I don't completely dry up, because my little guy would be so sad. I know of many mamas who've successfully nursed through pg and tandemed afterwords, that's what I'm hoping for.

Ks Mama

11-04-2006, 02:48 PM

Hello! Happily nursing my avid nurser - 25 month old DD. She typically nurses anywhere from 4 - 8 times per day, depending on how busy she is... and just recently has began sleeping a bit better at night, so is usually just waking 2x for nursing during the night (heavenly!). Latch-on has been painful for me since becoming pregnant, and really hasn't let up at all yet, though about 1 minute or so after she gets started, the pain pretty much goes away... I get more of that creepy-crawly feeling during night nursings, and while I don't want to "nightwean" per se, I have been encouraging DD to shorten her night nursing sessions, and cuddle back to sleep. So far, so good.

If y'all haven't yet, I strongly recommend picking up a copy of Hilary Flower's Book: Adventures in Tandem Nursing. It's a great read, full of useful information, and really has helped me feel more confident in my decision to continue to nurse through this pregnancy.

RE: upping your water intake... From what I have researched, you shouldn't be drinking tons & tons of water in hopes of increasing your milk supply. You should of course increase your water intake as you would with any pregnancy (nursing or not), but increased water doesn't coprrelate directly to increased milk supply. In fact, your body compensates for low water intake by decreasing urine output, not decreasing milk output... so I'm just trying to drink to thirst, and eat healthy, small meals often. So far, no decrease in supply... keeping my fingers crossed that supply will continue meet DD's demand.

gr8tfulmom

11-04-2006, 02:52 PM

RE: upping your water intake... From what I have researched, you shouldn't be drinking tons & tons of water in hopes of increasing your milk supply. You should of course increase your water intake as you would with any pregnancy (nursing or not), but increased water doesn't coprrelate directly to increased milk supply. In fact, your body compensates for low water intake by decreasing urine output, not decreasing milk output... so I'm just trying to drink to thirst, and eat healthy, small meals often. So far, no decrease in supply... keeping my fingers crossed that supply will continue meet DD's demand.

That's something I haven't heard before. I have read and heard that the combo of oatmeal and water together were effective to bolster supply, guess I'll be doing a bit more research :thumb

chandasz

11-04-2006, 03:50 PM

ColinsMommy

11-04-2006, 05:17 PM

Checking in! 14 weeks pregnant and nursing my 18-month old. I can still express some milk although I know my supply has decreased. Some days he doesn't nurse much at all, although he's been sick and teething lately so I don't know what to attribute it to. :dizzy:

velveeta

11-04-2006, 05:33 PM

I'm 38 weeks pregnant and nursing an over 2 1/2 yo. We got the colostrum in at about 30 weeks. I'm having a lot of discomfort in one side but not the other.

Hoping it's all hormonal and will feel better when #2 arrives.

Nursing in the evenings- I'm noticing a lot more BH contractions but I'm not concerned.

I'm really happy that I'll be having the demand of 2 but only really "NEEEDING" supply for 1! Should keep my supply wayyyy up there! Woo hoo.

My DD has decided that the new baby can have one side and she gets to keep the other...... we're working on explaining this to her. HAHAHAOh, gosh! We're in such a similar boat. My DS is 3.5, and I am just happy that he is willing to acknowledge that the baby deserves a side of her own! :lol We have talked about how babies never get to have treats or anything like that b/c they don't have teeth. DS says he wants Baby to sleep in his room, and he will just stay in bed with Mom and Dad as always. :lol

The soreness got better for me when my colostrum came in at about 20 weeks. (I am 28 weeks now). DS still says there is "no milk" though.

Some benefits I am looking forward to: nipple stimulation for labor, nipples not needing conditioning (I had a lot of initial soreness with DS), great supply!

sebarnes

11-04-2006, 05:56 PM

Hi All! I'm six weeks today and my 21 month old is an avid nurser! Frankly, I don't think it would matter if my supply dried up or not! She'd just keep going. My nipples have started to get really sore, especially my right one (go figure??), but they are usually fine once she's latched on. I'm kind of excited about this journey!!

risen_joy

11-04-2006, 08:04 PM

Hellooooo!

I'm 20 wks on Tuesday and ds nurses before naps and bedtime. JUST started getting painful for me - same as Ks mama - goes away after a minute...but oh that minute!! :dizzy: My sister (NOT into anything like AP or longterm nursing) chided me for thinking it would be good to tandem to keep sibling rivalry down and help ds be positive about the new baby!!! :irked: Thank you - did I tell HER how wrong I thought her methods of raising kids was? No! Everyone is different!!! Arg. Oh well - yes, still happily nursing!

(Oh and I can tell a decrease in supply but not gone yet)

MyCalling

11-04-2006, 09:49 PM

I'm 20 weeks pregnant with #5 and nursing my twin 19mo olds. They are down to about 6-8 nursings per day combined. I also have one breast which hurts more than the other.

This is my third pregnancy while nursing and honestly it's getting annoying this time.:duck: I think it's because once I fully nurse one, I turn around and have to fully nurse another one. I'm all touched out by the end. Thankfully they've cut out about 6 nursings per day since the beginning of this pregnancy.

MandyB

11-04-2006, 10:09 PM

I'm newly pregnant (4 wks) and still nursing my 22 month old. My nipples/breasts haven't gotten sore yet, but my daughter has upped her nursing sessions from 2-3 times a day to 6-7 times a day or more! I'm getting a little tired of sitting in the rocking chair (where she INSISTS she wants to be when nursed lol) all day long, but hoping this phase will pass.

katarn

11-04-2006, 10:29 PM

cutic

11-04-2006, 10:47 PM

My dd is 33 months old now, I am 34 weeks pregnant. We had plenty of milk till 20 weeks, then my milk was completely gone. Dd stopped nursing during the day at that time. She is now only nursing at night, before sleep, then usually once during a night and upon waking. My colostrum came around 28 weeks but dd wasn't really interested to resume day nursing. My breasts were more tender/sore in the second trimester, now I am quite comfortable night nursing dd.

Drummer's Wife

11-04-2006, 10:55 PM

I'm almost 19 weeks and am nursing my 20 month old 8-12 times per day. Though each session lasts only minutes and he switches sides frequently hoping there's more milky. I am not totally dried up but definitely major decrease in milk. It just got extremely painful!! The very beginning of the pregnancy I was a little sore and then it went away, well about 2 weeks ago my nipples started hurting really bad!! It's only about a min or so after he latches on but it's still bad. I really don't see him giving up his num-nums, even if my milk completely dried up, he'd still comfort nurse.

I really want to read Adventures in Tandem Nursing I'm hoping it makes nursing two easier since it will be my first time. I'm excited though :D

wildthing

11-04-2006, 10:55 PM

I am 16 weeks pregnant, and still nursing my two boys, 4 1/2 and 2 1/2. I have nursed through my last 7 pregnancies (I have been pregnant and/or nursing continuously since February of 1987, almost 20 years). Most of my babies weaned while I was pregnant, usually right at the very end. Baby #7 was the only one to continue nursing after the baby was born. It wasn't always easy, but I had strong feelings about continuing and not encouraging him to wean.

So, here I am, wondering if I will be nursing 3 come April.

Lohagrace

11-04-2006, 11:39 PM

I'm getting to the end of my pregnancy with #2 right now. I've nursed dd through it (she's almost 2.75 ish). at first it really hurt. i figured out that her latch wasnt that good, especially after the milk dried up (~5 mo?) and she was just on there for comfort. so we worked on getting more aerola and less "just nipple" in there. for a long time, maybe 2-3 months there was no milk. in the past month, there has been colostrum. none of this deterred her from wanting it all the time, although we night weaned when she was about 20-22 months. i would ask her if there was any milk and she would say "yes, its yummy!" but if i ever tried to express any, nothing came out--not even a drop. i was a very prolific milk-maker before, so i'm pretty sure it did dry up.
for me, more than the pain, it was just annoying. sometimes i felt like i wanted to push her away from me. there were times where i was like 'stop stop stop stop---you have to stop!" and i felt bad, but it was just driving me up the wall. with my due date about 2 1/2 weeks away, i see no end in sight. i havent read adventures in tandem nursing yet, but its on hold at the library! i hope that some of the benefits to tandem nursing will happen for us (sibling bonding, helps with engorgement/supply, and hey, at least when i'm nursing the baby i will know where she is and what she is up to!) good luck to all you nursing/pregnant mamas out there!

trmpetplaya

11-05-2006, 01:14 AM

I'm 5/6 weeks along and my almost 1 year old dd has had roseola all week long so I've been exclusively nursing her :dizzy: It's been a very tired sort of week for my whole family... It's good to "meet" you all :thumb I'm glad I'm not alone.

I'll probably be getting comments from my extended family this Christmas since we're going to stay with my parents (my mom knows nursing during pg is fine at least). My midwife is completely behind me though and I have a friend IRL who is about to give birth after nursing through her pg so hopefully I can handle any negativity.

love and peace. :love

Avena

11-05-2006, 10:45 AM

Ohhh thank you for this thread!

I'm 22 weeks preg. and DD is 18 M.....I've been having a hard time, SUPER PAINFUL ! It feels like DD is biting me.....Latch on is the worst and seems like at night it's even more painful , maybe it's me and I need a break!

DD nurses about 4-6 during the day, sometimes less and night time anywhere to 3-5 times.....I'm soo tired in the AM as DD nurses to sleep, gets up around 11:30, then @ 1 or 2 AM then at 5 AM to nurse and again around 7.....I don't know how I'm gonna make it with 2!

I'm all ears!!!!!:thumb

MyCalling

11-05-2006, 02:14 PM

paxye

11-05-2006, 03:11 PM

I am 38 weeks pregnant and also Tandem nursing my nearly 4 1/2 and my 2 yo ds....

I have no idea when this babe will be come but I am 100% sure that I will be Triandem nursing within the month :)

Lohagrace

11-05-2006, 03:21 PM

I am 38 weeks pregnant and also Tandem nursing my nearly 4 1/2 and my 2 yo ds....

I have no idea when this babe will be come but I am 100% sure that I will be Triandem nursing within the month :)

:bigeyes :bow

kehliouise

11-05-2006, 03:33 PM

Eaglevoice

11-05-2006, 03:38 PM

It sort of seems like when dd is nursing, a lot of the time she is sucking lightly, but not swallowing, so I think that means that I don't have much left in there. I totally know what you mama's mean when you say that there are times when you feel totally touched out. There are moments when I'm like, why can't you just sit here with me with out wanting to nurse??? Arg. Well, I know I'm doing the best thing possible for my baby girl right now, so I'll just keep on keepin on ;).

bigislandmama

11-05-2006, 04:47 PM

I am 33 weeks pregnant and still nursing my 19 month old ds. My milk dried up at 16 weeks, but that did not stop ds. He doesn't nurse as much maybe 3-4 times a day. At first it was very painful - my first clue that I was pregnant, but now it is just fine. My colostrum came in at 27 weeks which made ds very happy. I am really excited about tandem nursing and think that it will be a good bonding experience for ds with the new baby.

PajamaMama

11-05-2006, 04:52 PM

I'm still nursing my 3-1/2 year old daughter...I am pretty sure that I haven't had any milk since about 14 weeks but she doesn't care :shrug

She only nurses when she wakes up, sometimes at bedtime, and if she's really distressed. It bugs me but it's not unbearable. It would bug me more to deny her something that she obviously still feels a need to have.

umsami

11-05-2006, 06:32 PM

I just found out I was preggers. I tandem nursed DS1 while I was pregnant with DS2 up until about the third trimester, when he self-weaned. I was open to allowing him to begin nursing again after his brother was born, but he wasn't interested anymore. I'm hoping to do the same thing with this pregnancy... nurse as long as DS2 is interested.

Can't recommend Hillary Flowers book enough. Gave it to my OB when she started giving me flack.

Lohagrace

11-05-2006, 10:37 PM

for those of you have who tandem nursed before. i am worried about what will happen after the baby gets here and i have to put both children to sleep. my 19 months old will not go to sleep unless he is nursed to sleep. Also some nights he wont sleep at all unless the breat is in his mouth...the second you remove it he is wide awake screaming. i am wondering if this will mean lots of sleepless nights for everyone once we have the new baby. i am only 7 weeks pregnant now, so im hoping that we have plenty of time to talk to our son about sharing with the new sibling...but as of right now he is not exactly conversational and doesn't have any clue about what we really mean when we say he is going to have a new sibling. Im also not sure how to cosleep with two chidren? we already take up a lot of space in a king size bed.

i night-weaned dd when she was about your son's age. i started nursing her about an hour before bed and naps so that we broke the association with sleep = nursing. then we just kind of battled it out. it wasn't that hard, and didn't take as long as i thought it would. i was just dying from lack of sleep and it wasn't working for me to nurse her at night any more. we talked about how she could nurse when the sun comes up (or you could put a light on a timer--"is the nursing light on?") and i just used simple phrases like "the nu-nus (what we call them) are sleeping." it took a few nights of wearing a tight shirt, cuddling her, dh cuddling her, and reminding her that nu-nus were asleep and she could have them in the morning.
i know i'm worried about the 1 hour bedtime routene with dd when the baby comes...but at least not HAVING to nurse her to sleep, she can accept substitutes like dh sometimes, or rubbing her back, singing, etc. all of which i can do while holding a baby.

Eaglevoice

11-06-2006, 12:23 PM

paxye

11-06-2006, 12:26 PM

Okay, here's a sort of stupid question...

Since your colostrum only lasts a few days after babe is born... does new babe get enough colostrum if the other one is nursing, too? I know how important that colostrum is to those tiny immune systems, so is it okay if they don't get every last drop of it since a lot will be taken by dd1?

Colustrum is not in a limited supply.... it is what your body produces for the first few days... so the baby gets what it needs... like if you have twins etc...
ETA... I do like letting the baby have first dibs though... then nurse the older sibling after...

paxye

11-06-2006, 12:32 PM

for those of you have who tandem nursed before. i am worried about what will happen after the baby gets here and i have to put both children to sleep. my 19 months old will not go to sleep unless he is nursed to sleep. Also some nights he wont sleep at all unless the breat is in his mouth...the second you remove it he is wide awake screaming. i am wondering if this will mean lots of sleepless nights for everyone once we have the new baby. i am only 7 weeks pregnant now, so im hoping that we have plenty of time to talk to our son about sharing with the new sibling...but as of right now he is not exactly conversational and doesn't have any clue about what we really mean when we say he is going to have a new sibling. Im also not sure how to cosleep with two chidren? we already take up a lot of space in a king size bed.

First... you have a while still to go... there is a lot of growing up that happens in the 7-8 months that you have left...

I nursed both of my boys to sleep until about 2 months ago when ds#1 decided that he didn't need to nurse to sleep anymore...
I nurse to sleep in the living room and then put them down... while I was nursing one, DH was with the other...
I didn't really talk much about sharing with the new baby.... I just had the baby at the breast and if ds#1 wanted some I would Tandem... neither liked it though so he would often just wait next to me until his little brother was finished...
As for co-sleeping... I slept in between the boys and then ds#1 started to cuddle DH more... now DS#1 cuddles DH and ds#2 stays on my side... the new babe will be going between DH and I...

Eaglevoice

11-07-2006, 02:03 PM

As for co-sleeping... I slept in between the boys and then ds#1 started to cuddle DH more... now DS#1 cuddles DH and ds#2 stays on my side... the new babe will be going between DH and I...

Wow, that sounds like a tight squeeze! Are you all going to be in one bed, or do you have a second one set up?

paxye

11-07-2006, 02:06 PM

Wow, that sounds like a tight squeeze! Are you all going to be in one bed, or do you have a second one set up?

We have a King size... I find it really spacious especially since we used to all four of us in a double... now THAT was a tight squeeze!

mitintraining

11-07-2006, 02:29 PM

Hi all,
I am nursing my 14 month old and until three months ago was nursing my 3 year old, oh yeah I am 32 weeks yesterday.:thumb I haven't noticed a decrease in supply at all, but I have always had an overabundance of milk, so much that I donate to milk banks while tandem nursing. My whole family has this issue, except for one sister who has thyroid issues.;) I loved tandem nursing my last two because I would get so overfull and it was great to have a toddler who could drink extra, although he actually reverted to nursing baby poopies as well, all the better to wash out of our cloth diapers. I considered triandem nursing, although there isn't alot of info out there on it, but my big boy decided not to nurse for a few days, then he forgot how to do it.:( Now he still asks then lays in my lap(what is left of it) and giggles. He has been telling his little sister about how fun it is to share mommy's nursies and I am wondering how often he will ask after the new baby comes in Dec? Guess time will tell. hang in there all you preggo nursers, because I have wonderful memories of two little (well one little one not-so-little) heads nursing. And Big boy has vivid memories of nursing with his sister that he shares with everyone, much to my pink-faced smiles!!:o

Lilcrunchie

11-07-2006, 02:46 PM

I'm 35.5 weeks pregnant and still nursing my little guy who is 2.75 years old.

I had some nipple tenderness early on and into the 2nd trimester, but it wasn't *that* bad. In the 2nd tri my supply definitely decreased, although DS insisted he was still getting milk out. I couldn't hand express any though, but who knows?

It has been more comfortable now for quite some time...probably from 25ish weeks on. I am not leaking or anything but I do have colostrum. DS seems pretty excited that baby sister is going to bring the milkies along with her LOL. He talks about sharing w/ her all of the time, but i'm not sure how he'll feel once she's here.

He also nurses for a loooong time in the morning (he loves to cuddle in bed for a long while when he wakes up), nurses to sleep for nap and during nap, and before bed, plus a few other times in between...so still quite a bit! I have NO idea how i'm going to juggle it w/ 2 of them...I'm kinda scared :o I don't think i could nightwean DS...I don't think he's ready.

Oh, and another thumbs up :thumb for Adventures in Tandem Nursing. It is a good reference to have on hand and I like to show DS the pics of other toddlers/babies tandeming! :)

Eaglevoice

11-07-2006, 02:51 PM

Do you think there is a reason why dd is insisting on nursing all day long lately? She's 17 months and it seems like everyday she nurses more and more and more. Before I got pg, she was nursing like 4-5 times a day. Now its like 30! And a lot of the time she's just sitting there with my nipple in her mouth not sucking or anything. I wonder if she is sensing something, or perhaps going through a growth spurt...

jessitron

11-07-2006, 04:32 PM

Jenn, will she be just as happy to lay in your lap and play with you? The other morning DD asked for more munching, but once she was up there she just wanted to talk and play. maybe she senses the changes and wants more attention.

Shahbazin

11-07-2006, 09:41 PM

Hi! Interesting thread :notes: I've just found out I'm pregnant (7/07), & am nursing a 6 month old. Have read the Adventures book, but am going to go back & re-read!

sebarnes

11-07-2006, 11:32 PM

gr8tfulmom

11-08-2006, 06:19 AM

tiffany21074

11-08-2006, 08:40 AM

hello, just found out today that i am preggers! i am also nursing my 20 month old dd. i look forward to getting to know everyone!

Eaglevoice

11-08-2006, 11:27 AM

Yes, yes, yes, I am eating almost non-stop this pregnancy.

Jenn, my little guy has upped the nursing too - he keeps running me dry but still nursing. He definitely isn't content just hanging out on my lap - I wish, my boobs are so tired.
I'm glad to hear I'm not alone!

And I am definitely eating more than last pg. I'm very hungry and THIRSTY! I drink so much water during the day. I remember last time that i had to force myself to get enough water during the day, it was actually a conscious effort. This time, I drink it because I have to. I'm drinking at least 100 ounces a day right now.

scbegonias

11-08-2006, 11:58 AM

This thread is definitely what I needed today. I'm 16w and DD is almost 2.5yrs. In the past month, she's gone down to nursing at bedtime, during the night, and upon waking. Originally, my nipple pain (though it lasted only a few minutes) was severe...it is much more managable now. What is driving me nuts is the night nursing. DD will wake between 2 and 4...and want to suck for two hours. I get totally touched out, and combined with my early morning insomnia tendancies this pregnancy...I just don't get enough sleep. This morning at 6am, after being up since four (nursing and giving DD a snack), I took her out to the couch and explained to her that I was very tired, I needed to sleep, and the nursing was keeping me up. The baby and I just needed to go to bed. I asked her if it was ok to nurse to go night-night and then to hold off nursing until it was light out. DD, who had been whining and crying, looked at me sweetly and said, "OK, let's go to bed." We went back to bed and cuddled to sleep. Then we slept in :wink . I felt so guilty, but this thread has helped me to feel more sane. Thanks, mamas!

Eaglevoice

11-08-2006, 03:00 PM

Man, I can't wait until dd is able to really understand me like that!

scbegonias

11-08-2006, 03:05 PM

Yeah, its great...although, it's still mostly a momentary lapse of toddler brain.

BellaLuv

11-08-2006, 07:32 PM

Great thread! My dd is still nursing, and she is 3 yrs, 3 mos. She has actually stepped up her nursing quite a bit; when we're at home, she nurses almost every hour! I'm really touched out :( What's frustrating is that she nurses on one side for about a minute, says "there's no milk in that one!", then switches to the other for a minute, then switches back, then switches back, then switches....well, you get the idea. I get the creepy-crawly feeling a lot too :irked:

I think the reason she is nursing so much now is a combination of her realizing that there's not as much milk as there used to be, and also I'm pretty sick with this pregnancy, so I'm pretty much a sitting target for her. (she usually only asks to nurse when she sees me lying prone on the couch). I'm hoping that once I get into my 2nd trimester and start feeling better the nursing sessions will slow down as I'm able to be more active. I suppose I have a ways to go to see whether or not I'll be tandem nursing in June...

timneh_mom

11-08-2006, 10:25 PM

Hey, cool that you started this thread!!! I'm 27 weeks pregnant and nursing my son who will be 2 on Saturday. He wasn't happy when my milk dried up but kept going anyway - I have colostrum now so I think we'll make it the rest of the way through. He nurses down for naps and at bedtime and a few mornings a week, that's about it right now!

I'll have to go sub to this thread :) Thanks for starting it! I have suggested getting a pregnant/tandem nursing forum and have talked to the powers that be, but they said to keep the threads going and if there is enough interest, it might be a possibility sometime in the future.

velveeta

11-09-2006, 07:19 AM

He has been telling his little sister about how fun it is to share mommy's nursies and I am wondering how often he will ask after the new baby comes in Dec? Guess time will tell. hang in there all you preggo nursers, because I have wonderful memories of two little (well one little one not-so-little) heads nursing. And Big boy has vivid memories of nursing with his sister that he shares with everyone, much to my pink-faced smiles!!:oThis story made me cry! (not that I am at all emotional or anything! :lol) Our little nursers are so sweet and full of love, aren't they? :love

My 3.5 yo DS also has a baby in his belly (named Baby), and he is going to nurse his baby and I am going to nurse my baby. And he says if he is too sore, I can nurse his baby, too.

timneh_mom

11-09-2006, 10:03 AM

Jean, that's really cute what your DS said!

I've been talking with my DS quite a bit, not about the baby nursing so much, but about all the other animals that get nursies. (Cats, dogs, dolphins, etc.) Occasionally he'll bring me something to nurse, like a truck or the other day it was Eeyore! :lol He even said "side" when it was time to change sides! It wasn't good enough to "pretend" to nurse, no, I had to have my whole breast uncovered and he put Eeyore's little nose right on my nipple! It was really funny! Hopefully he'll be ok with the baby sharing nursies, I haven't ever read a story about a toddler who wasn't so that's encouraging!

jmtowne

11-09-2006, 10:56 AM

Hello everyone! I am 36w tomorrow and still nursing my ds who is 19mo. We nurse for a long cuddly nurse in the am then quickies before and after naps and then a medium session at night. I don't know how much he's getting but he seems quite content.

I find the last week or so that when I nurse him I get crazy contrax that last for up to an hour after the session. Is anyone else having this? It's normal right?

I was at the m/w on Monday and she did an internal and I am still high and tight so I'm not worried, just wondering if anyone else was experiencing this.

Moms who are and have tandem nursed can you give me a few suggestions on making the transition to sharing easy on your dc?

Thanks,
Meredith

Eaglevoice

11-09-2006, 11:57 AM

Yesterday, dd was holding a stuft doggie and she would pull off and then put the dog to my nipple and say "doggie num num." It was cracking me up.

katarn

11-10-2006, 10:09 AM

this thread is great!!! i'm nursing my 17 mo. old and i just don't see how i can night nurse him anymore.. its driving me batty.. i'm starting to apply some NCSS techniques and they seem to be working!!!:thumb

hopefully he'll sleep through the night before baby number 2 comes along and the sleepless nights continue:lol

MandyWelch

11-10-2006, 11:25 AM

I'm 23 weeks along and nursing my baby that was 2 in September (so he's 26months almost). I have a unique situation in that he had to have one of his front teeth surgically removed at one year old due to a fractured root. The front tooth that is left is chipped so it's misshapen. That proves to be very painful sometimes, but I have gotten in the habit of telling him to open wide and making sure he gets a big ol mouthful. Here (http://www.pbase.com/almo0nd/image/57311676) is a pic of his teeth. He has always been a twiddler and I really can't stand it anymore, so I've been moving his hand away and telling him mommy has a boo-boo. Sometimes it helps and sometimes not, but I try to be consistent.

Oh, and I lost my milk sometime around 14 weeks or so. I think it might be trying to come back cuz I have dried bits of something on my nips every now and then. I still can't express anything though :( He doesn't seem to mind that the milk is gone though:lol He still nurses ferociously in the am and in the pm and when going down for a nap. He'll nurse a couple of time during the night as well.

Mandy

hannahnc

11-10-2006, 03:10 PM

HI! I'm about 7weeks along and nursing my almost 2 year old. She too has been nursing a more in the past 3 weeks (actually that's why I thought I was just "late" for my period!). Hopefully my supply will keep up!

Eaglevoice

11-12-2006, 02:44 PM

So, mama's who've already tandemed...I have a question.

Did you still get some nipple pain from the new baby? I had a hard time establishing dd's latch at first. I'm wondering since I've figured it out already, is it easier the second time? Or is there a period still where the new babe is learning and you still get really sore? Anyone develop cracked or bleeding nipple with the second one?

Just curious...

Jen1977

11-12-2006, 08:29 PM

Hi everyone, I nursed my son through my pregnancy with my daughter and then both of them for 6 months, when I weaned my son (he was 3). Now I am 13 weeks pregnant and still nursing my daughter (now 2.5). I night weaned her when I was about 7 or 8 weeks because I started to experience fatigue. She now nurses only once or twice a day and I get much more sleep at night.

I'd like to encourage those who might be feeling burned out with continuing to nurse a toddler on demand. I felt guilty cutting back on feedings with my first, and I felt exceptionally guilty when I weaned him, even though he was 3, by then. I wish I had limited his nursing instead of completely weaning him. So, I'm all for continuing breastfeeding, but if you've already put in a good amount of time with nursing a particular little darling and/or you are pregnant, then work to preserve the longevity of your nursing relationship with that little darling by bending the nursing schedule to suit you.

Since the question of soreness was asked, I did not get owies on my nipples with my second baby, only the first.

Love to you all,
Jen

P.S. I'm in awe of Mrs. Wildthing!

sarahn4639

11-15-2006, 02:46 PM

does any one have any experience with this? more milk two (http://www.motherlove.com/product_more_milk_two_glycerite.php) by mother love. (for keeping milk during pregnancy)

thanks!

Eaglevoice

11-15-2006, 03:56 PM

does any one have any experience with this? more milk two (http://www.motherlove.com/product_more_milk_two_glycerite.php) by mother love. (for keeping milk during pregnancy)

thanks!Hmmm, I've never heard of it before... but I'll be checking in to hear if anyone has tried it.

sarahn4639

11-15-2006, 08:06 PM

double post

sarahn4639

11-15-2006, 08:11 PM

Hmmm, I've never heard of it before... but I'll be checking in to hear if anyone has tried it.

Yeah, I REALLY hope it atleast helps some! We are TTC and I'm terrified of losing my milk! (I have totally been stalking this thread! Thanks :lol)

Anglyn

11-15-2006, 10:08 PM

OH! Me, me, I want to join in! I nursed dd all through my last pregnancy and she did not stop, even when the milk was gone. It hurt sometimes too, but I'll never forget the look on her face when the milk came back (she pulled back and looked up at me with the biggest grin and milk on her lips).

Anyway, I started out this preg. with both kids still nursing but dd has given up, not ds2 though. Occasionally when he is nursing, dd will ask me, "has the milk come back?" when I say no she loses interest and goes away. Im so glad because her latch was driving me up the wall. I feel guilty because when she was still nursing I was constantly telling her to wait or making her let go, but then she started falling to sleep without it and then started sleeping all night wihtout waking to nurse, yea! Anyway, we will see if she goes back to it once the milk comes back.

To answer the tandem nursing question, nursing the older kid actually was a tremendous help to me, because I NEVER got engorged! I would ask her if she would come get bop-bop because it was too full and she was more than happy to oblige!

Slightly o/t but when we first brought the baby home (I nursed her in the morning, left, had the baby at the birthing center and we were home by dinner time, that was awesome) she was very standoffish, then I was nursing him and she came and stood in front of me and just dropped her head down into her hands. She looked so devastated! Then I said, "Do you want bop-bop too?" (bop bop comes from her early attempts to say boppy in refrence to the boppy pillow we used, because when she wanted to nurse I'd say "bring the boppy" and she'd say "bop" and it just evolved from there. Of course ds picked up it as well, even dh calls it bop bop. Bop Bop is a noun and a verb at my home....bf and the actual boob). Anyway, when I asked if she wanted bop bop too, her whole face lit up and we tandemed for the first time. Once she knew she still had her bop bop, she was much more open to the baby.

Mizelenius

11-17-2006, 11:41 PM

I am 25 weeks and nursing my 19 month old. I have no milk. Nursing really bothers me now most of the time, so she is down to just a few times a day. My goal is to keep her nursing, keep her latch so that when there IS milk, she will know just what to do. I considered totally weaning her when it was hurting a lot (at first, it was just sensitive, then fine, then actual pain) . . .but I don't want to. I am not excited about tandem nursing (scared!) but I OWE her several months of milk, so I don't want to stop. I figure, I can always stop later but if I stop now, then it will be hard or impossible to go back.

One day at a time!

Eaglevoice

11-18-2006, 11:44 AM

I jsut got the LLL book "Adventures in Tandem Nursing" at my local library. It's a great book. I've been finding a lot of really interesting and helpful info in there.

My milk has not completely dried up, I can still squeeze a little out, but I can tell that there is not much. We are still nursing like 15 - 20 times a day... I should count it, its probably more than that. She's already nursed like 5 times and it's only 9:30am!

ericswifey27

11-18-2006, 01:52 PM

So, I have a question. Do you find that you are hungrier than previous pregnancies when you weren't nursing? I was hungry with dd, but nothing like this! I feel like if I am not eating almost constantly, I will pass out. Seriously! I get light headed and fuzzy feeling. I haven't been able to totally get the food thing right, yet, so for the past few days I have felt like crap. I'm just wondering if this is because I am nursing and pregnant.

Me too.

I was definitely not this hungry with my son.

He is nursing less now and I noticed milk production is way down. Babe's not due until June and ds has been nursing less, so I am not sure if we will be tandem nursing or not.

timneh_mom

11-20-2006, 08:12 PM

It's so weird about being hungry... I found I was LESS hungry with this pregnancy (while nursing) than I was when I was pg with DS! I have gained less weight too. I do get really thirsty a lot, but my appetite has never been as ravenous as it was when I was pg the first time.

It's interesting how we are all different! I could not lose weight while nursing to save my life!

Ashersmum

11-20-2006, 11:12 PM

I am so grateful to all you mamas out there who are tandem nursing and nursing toddlers. I am not alone! I was starting to think that I was being weak and giving in to my 2 1/2 year old ds needs because I've been taking a lot of negative comments from friends and family recently (except for hubby who is extremely supportive). People seem seriously disgusted by the fact that I am still nursing :( I am currently 7 weeks pregnant and nursing 3 x a day. I'm kind of worried that all of you are still experiencing the nipple pain further along in your pregnancies because I already have pretty intense latch on pain - ouch! I was really hoping that it would subside - ah well. I haven't noticed a drop in supply yet although ds seems to want to nurse for longer on each side than usual. Good luck to you all and wow to the lady with 8 kids!

Mizelenius

11-21-2006, 12:41 AM

I'm kind of worried that all of you are still experiencing the nipple pain further along in your pregnancies because I already have pretty intense latch on pain - ouch! I was really hoping that it would subside
I found that mine has come and gone . . .on days that it is bad I just keep sessions very short. Again, my goal is just to keep DD's latch until my milk comes in-- then at least it won't be painful! I lost my milk around 5 months, and I would think, FOUR more months? (That's when it began to really hurt!) I didn't think I could do it, but now I just take it one day at a time, one session at a time. Setting big limits has really helped. :hug

When anyone asks about nursing your other DC, don't think you need to defend it or even explain it. Just shrug and say, "We're doing what's best for us. So, anyway . . ." and change the subject.

timneh_mom

11-21-2006, 11:53 AM

Ashersmum - I'm not having much nipple pain at all! I'm 29 weeks tomorrow. A lot can change, I could still get nipple pain but now that I've got colostrum I think that having something actually come out while your child is nursing helps a little bit! Sometimes it hurts right when DS latches on but subsides once he gets going - a good, deep latch helps too.

wendyk

11-21-2006, 12:46 PM

Nursing twice a day here at 31 wks-- naptime and bedtime. I must have colostrum now since it isn't as painful, though I can only stand just a few minutes before it becomes just the most irritating sensation. She's almost 4, so I really wouldn't mind if she weaned, but at this point I don't see it happening. She's starting to pick up on the fact that some kids don't nurse anymore and someday she won't either. I don't put any pressure on this, but I will admit that I'm not sure how excited I am at the thought of tandem nursing for a long time. Sometimes I feel like the demands on my body are more than I can keep up with- and that it probably is not going to get easier after the baby is born. :(

timneh_mom

12-29-2006, 06:42 PM

Bumping this up!

How is everyone doing? I'm 34 weeks pregnant and DS nurses 1-3 times per day, always at bedtime, and occasionally in the morning and before a nap. I am still thinking he will keep nursing until the baby is here... he is pretty busy during the day but still occasionally comes in my lap asking for "ees" :love I'm not having much nipple pain as long as he's latched on good.

sparklemama

12-29-2006, 06:52 PM

Hey, just saw this thread. Thanks for bumping. :)

I'm 20 weeks pregnant and my DD (20 months) is still nursing...not so much lately, maybe 6x/day about 3 of those at night. I suffered a decrease in supply for a few weeks in 1st trimester but it came back ok...well, until these last couple of days. Seems like there's not much there lately. She usually nurses from 1-4 times at night and the last couple of nights she's been clearly unhappy with what I have been able to provide. She's not the type to nurse when there's no milk either, never been a real comfort nurser. She just stops and snuggles except at night she gets frustrated every 10 minutes when she realizes she's still a little hungry.

Nipple pain has come and gone, right now it's not too bad. I've been an eating machine too and it's getting a little OLD! I'm sick of eating! (Never thought I'd say that :lol) I must keep it up though or my energy level goes way down.

richella

12-29-2006, 11:01 PM

I'm about 20 wks now too. Dd has pretty much night weaned since i've been pg. That is a bonus. She nurses differently when she does, sucking more frequently, but whenever I ask her if she's getting milk she says "mm hmm." Nipple pain comes and goes. some nights I ask her if she can nurse a little more gently, then she unlatches and asks to hear a lullaby instead.

I think we're at a good place. She is adjusted to less nursing, and seems to be feeling okay. (Testing limits a lot the last couple days, but I suppose that's normal for a 2 yr old!) I'm just so glad I got turned onto Adventures in Tandem Nursing. I might have tried to wean her without that support, and she definitely wasn't ready.

wombatclay

12-30-2006, 01:13 PM

Heyla all!

I'm 17 weeks along and dd is just shy of 21mo and nursing away! I had insane nipple pain for a few weeks, and then it cleared up...but it came back about a week ago. :( Someone told me that she had nipple pain mostly at the beginning/end of each trimester so hopefully this pain will let up a bit too in a few more days. That's my hope at least.

We did night wean dd when my nighttime milk supply vanished around week 8. Prior to the pregnancy DD would nurse 8-9 times each night, but only for a few minutes each time. When my night supply vanished DD would try to nurse and then, when no milk appeared, wake all the way up and begin crying/screaming for "boom boom". So DD moved over to DH's side of the family bed and he took over the nighttime parenting. DD still nurses during the day, but it's nice having the nights "off". :)

And about being hungry...I bounce between starving and feeling sick to my stomach, and I know my blood sugar levels are more varied this time round. With DD I felt sick off and on for a few weeks. This time I still feel sick half of any given day and I'm in the second trimester! I hope I can find the right balance of foods...DH is running out of dinner ideas!

Autoemesiss

12-30-2006, 01:37 PM

Hi all! I am not sure how pregnant I am, yup I am the idiot who thought that bfing was great birth control. LOL I think somewhere around 6-10weeks. Anyhoo, my supply is just about gone, but I have LMS to start with and it is INCREDABILY painful latching. But DD is only 11months and does not have any plan on stopping. My toes curl just thinking about her latching....

Sue

hannahnc

01-02-2007, 02:24 PM

I'm 15 weeks now and still have the terrible nipple tenderness. but it's only for the first minute or so... DD has been sick with a cold and nursing a lot more! My supply doesn't seem to be going down any further and I hope that continues!

GenomicsGirl

01-02-2007, 02:39 PM

I'm almost 18 weeks, my nipples are so sensitive - it hurts when I just think of nursing ds :wink I've actually tried to wean a few times, but was unsuccessful, so I've given in and will continue to nurse as long as I can take it! ds is 18 months old and he has started to gently press his teeth together as he nurses - when he gets off, there are indents around my nipple. Ow.

sarah04

01-02-2007, 06:54 PM

Ooh, I'm encouraged reading this thread! I'm 11 or 12 weeks, nursing a 9-month-old. Just started solids because I need a bit of a break but so far he's not too interested. I'm alright with that ... nice to be wanted!

crittersmom

01-02-2007, 09:30 PM

i just found out that I am about 20 weeks pregnant with my 4th and I nursed DS during my last pregnancy.I am now tandem nursing and facing the possiblity that I may be nursing three in a couple of months! I've been experiencing major hunger increases the past couple of months and I thought it was just that I was nursing two, I didn't know I was supporting three little ones.My thirst has been increasing too, thats one thing I remember from my last pregnancy.i had bottles of water all over the house, at other people's houses, and in everybody's cars just for me.

GenomicsGirl

01-02-2007, 09:32 PM

Woah Crittersmom! :dizzy: You must be so drained! I hope you're able to get your rest and eat a lot; you're a strong woman!

RachelS

01-02-2007, 10:00 PM

Hello Ladies!!! I am so happy to have found this thread tonight! This is what I need!!! No one I know is pregnant and nursing. Most people that I have told just give this strange look like I am crazy.... :( how terrible!

Anyway.... I am 5 weeks pregnant and I am nursing my 20 month old son twice a day. However, while I am nursing him I am feeling more cramps or kind of tingling feeling.... is this to worry about? Does this happen to you? I do not want to stop nursing him because we both love it so much! But I am concerned that in some way it is not good for my pregnancy. Any suggestions ladies?

Thank you so much!!! Many Blessings to you!

happymammaof3

01-03-2007, 06:48 PM

I'm almost 6 weeks pg and nursing my 13 month old dd. I also have a 13 yo ds and 11 yo dd (who aren't nursing :lol )

No breast soreness whatsoever but I don't feel letdown much. My dd only nurses before bed and in the morning. I have a feeling she'll be weened by the time I have this baby, although if not that's fine. I'l miss nursing her.

Great thread!! :thumb

richella

01-03-2007, 10:20 PM

Since dd has to suck harder to get any milk out, sometimes she loses suction and slips off. That is the most painful. today after I said Ow a couple times she stopped and said, "I done." I told her I'm sorry she isn't getting as much as she wants, and she said, "My mouth is bigger. Cause I grow." It was so sad, I told her it wasn't because of her, but I don't know if she understands that. I don't want to tell her it's because of the baby, but I did tell her (as I have lots of times before) that when the baby comes there will be lots of milk, enough for the baby to nurse a lot and still leave plenty for Rowan.

RachelS

01-07-2007, 08:32 PM

Hi ladies! :)

I was just wondering if anyone else is getting slack from others that they should wean? My family is all over me about it and I try and try to tell them is is completely safe!! Any one going through this?

Thank you!!

gizzyntaz

01-07-2007, 09:19 PM

Rachel - I'm not sure about your tingly feeling... Is it in your uterus? I would call your MW and ask. My BH in the first pregnancy felt kind of tingly, likely the nursing is just stimulating your uterus a bit. It's probably harmless (it might even be beneficial to your later efforts in labor by toning it), but I would call them anyway.

I'm not sure what people will say when they find out I'm still nursing Alan. Likely our families won't know until the 3rd trimester (I have a trip to visit tentatively planned), and by then I expect that DS will probably have decreased his nursing if he hasn't weaned completely (I hope he doesn't - or at least, I say that now!). My friends tend to look to me as the breastfeeding "expert", so they will likely just ask harmless questions instead of judging. If I were you I would arm myself with lots of information and just say that your MW/DS's pediatrician ENCOURAGE it (even if they don't). That should shut most people up.

Does anyone know if it is okay to drink Mother's Milk Tea during pregnancy? I saw some at the store the other day but the box said to ask before using it during pregnancy. I'm doing what I can to keep my supply up for DS (oatmeal, lots of water, frequent nursing) and I thought the tea might be a nice addition to my regiment. I won't see my MWs for a month, and I don't want to call to ask that, KWIM?

SaraBravo

01-08-2007, 08:00 AM

when u r nursing one baby and u r pg when the new baby is born will there be enough colostrum for the nb ? do you still feed both babies in those early hrs? is it ok for your older baby to get some of the colstrum or would that be taking away from what the nb should be getting?
pm me if youd' like.

lesleyj

01-09-2007, 02:52 PM

I am 7 weeks pregnant and my 17 month old DD seems to want to nurse more in the past few weeks. I don't know if she senses a change or what. The problem is I always loved nursing her and now that I am pregnant it really hurts and I am resenting it. She screams booba all the time and is getting very demanding. I am not sure how to handle this. I guess I should have started a new thread on this. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

richella

01-09-2007, 09:28 PM

When I was first pg I thought I should best wean, (that's what I get for reading that stupid What to Expect book someone gave me) so I started trying to gently redirect dd or give her some food or something. She got whiny and clingy and asked to nurse much more frequently. Then fortunately someone turned me onto Adventures in Tandem Nursing. I cannot recommend this book enough for anyone on this thread who has questions! It is so reassuring, and never judgemental of any choice. And she uses research as much as possible, so I felt I could safely nurse while pg. So I started letting dd nurse on demand again, and her attitude changed back to normal. She has cut back a lot, though, because there isn't as much milk. But (I hope) she doesn't feel that I don't want to nurse her.

About the colustrum issue, according to that book, it is perfectly fine to let the older child nurse at that time. Some women prefer to give it to the nb first, and let the older one nurse after. But I don't think it's absolutely necessary to do that. You make enough for your needs, just like you would if you had twins.

My MIL appeared downright horrified when she realized I wasn't planning to wean dd. I think it was on my behalf -- she said -- "You don't want to be nursing TWO!" It was so odd, I had difficulty finding the right words. I choked out, "I don't want to wean Rowan before she's ready. . ." MIL: That's very ALTRUISTIC of you! (Nervous laughter.) It was a weird moment, but she was over it by the next time I saw her, and it's all just as normal as ever now.

hannahnc

01-10-2007, 07:31 AM

I'm new to nursing during pregnancy, but about the colostrum question earlier, I think I read at kellymom.com and the la leche league site that your colostrum is not in limited supply and it's ok for older child to have too.

like the 2 pp's, my daughter too wanted to nurse way more once I was pregnant!! My supply dipped a little bit, so I think it may have been a combination of her reacting to that and also maybe the hormones??

I still have the nipple tenderness that so many moms get, but luckily it's gotten a LOT better! Also luckily no one has made any comments about me nursing while preggo, though my dad did ask what I was going to do once the baby was born (assuming that I would wean older DD). Maybe once my belly pops I'll get more comments. Bring em on! :wink

RachelS

01-10-2007, 07:13 PM

Hello Ladies ~

Thank you for all the great responses to my questions!! I love this thread! :)

I am going to look into that book! Sounds wonderful!! :)

Hazelnut

01-10-2007, 08:29 PM

Okay, subbing and I have to read this, b/c I feel like my supply is lowering. Will it continue to do so, or is it something that just happens slightly at the beginnign? It just doesn't let down as easily, but in truth it sorta seemed like it was doing that at night even before I got pregnant (i.e. he would nurse again, and instead of triggering more milk, he's just give up b/c he wouldnt' get any more for a couple of hours.).

And it definitely hurts more, at first I thought he was biting down more, til I remembered. :lol ouch.

goddessgold1

01-16-2007, 03:35 PM

I am still abit early in my pregnancy, 3 1/2 weeks, and nursing my 10 month old son, I havent really noticed anything other than filling up quicker, and a harder let down. I am hopin that as the pregnancy gets farther along, they dont hurt worse.

wombatclay

01-16-2007, 04:30 PM

Okay, subbing and I have to read this, b/c I feel like my supply is lowering. Will it continue to do so, or is it something that just happens slightly at the beginnign?

It really depends on you...every mama's body adjusts to the pregnancy hormones (and the way those hormones shift during the pregnancy) differently. Some mamas have no lose of supply, others see a small dip, some only lose their night supply, and others have nothing at all for a few months in the middle. So it's not an easy question to answer! :)

Since your milk supply is being affected by pregnancy hormones, it's no longer a matter of supply/demand. So nursing more wont necessarily increase your supply (though nursing less can reduce supply), and a lot of nursing aides aren't safe to use during pregnancy. Oatmeal is a good option, and make sure you're getting enough calcium/magnesium. But it's really a personal reaction and there's very little you can do to affect the outcome.

Which is frustrating on the one hand but sort of relieving on the other!

HTH (and check out Advenures in Tandem Nursing, and the kellymom breastfeeding site...they both have GREAT info for nursing during pregnancy and eventually tandem nursing if that is your decision)

Hazelnut

01-16-2007, 05:49 PM

I was just giong to go find this thread again. It's been about 5 weeks since conception, and suddenly my nipples got even more sensitive, especially one side, which is weird. My right side is tolerable, but it is excruciating when he latches on the left side, and stays very painful. I hate it! If it doesn't get better soon I dont' know what I'm going to do. This is my third pregnancy and I don't even remember if the sensitivity went down before, b/c I wasn't nursing while pregnant then. It feels like a sabertooth tiger is latching on to my wounded, bleeding breasts (they're not really bleeding though. :o )

Wugmama

01-16-2007, 06:03 PM

Hello!

I was about 4 months pg with ds when I weaned dd at 3.5 years of age. I felt so guilty, but couldn't cope with the pain and my milk had dried up anyways.

Now my ds is 12 months, and I'm pg again! THere is no way I'm weaning this little guy, but I'm nervous for the soreness to start!

I am excited about being a tandem nurser though!

I'm looking forward to getting to know the rest of you.

~Tracy

timneh_mom

01-17-2007, 09:53 PM

Just a quick update from me!

I'm 37 weeks pregnant now and DS (26 months) is still nursing 1-2 times per day. I don't have much, just colostrum, and he doesn't nurse really unless it's naptime/bedtime. I have been telling him about the baby in my tummy (he points to my belly button and says "baby out!", and I tell him how many nursies there will be for him once the baby comes out!). I occasionally have some nipple pain, but I think part of that is his latch and it's probably hormonal as well. Sometimes it gives me some wicked braxton hicks contractions but not always. I think if I wanted to wean him, it wouldn't be difficult to do, but, I really feel like he wasn't ready to give up my milk when it dried up.

I'm just excited to see what he thinks once I have milk again! :love

HannahsMomma

01-19-2007, 10:52 AM

timneh_mom

01-19-2007, 11:52 AM

Hi ladies. I'm not pregnant yet but I just had my IUD removed today so we'll see what happens ! I hope this is the right place to post this. My doctor is all for nursing to 2 years and beyond (she did with all of her 7 children) but she said that she doesn't agree with breastfeeding during pregnancy because of passing on hormones. I have never heard of this. I plan on nursing until dd decides to wean so I'll probably be nursing when pregnant. My dr won't be my care provider when I get pregnant because I will have a midwife so it really won't be an issue. I just wonder what she meant. Thoughts anyone ?
~B

Hi Becky,

Not to worry! Your milk will be safe for your toddler to drink while you are pregnant. Here is a link to a Kellymom article for you: http://kellymom.com/nursingtwo/faq/01safety.html
Some doctors are (wrongly) concerned that the hormones in your milk will affect your child, but they won't.

One thing that is very possible is that you may experience a decrease in supply. The article talks about that as well. There are a few moms who don't experience this but many will. It is something to consider when you are thinking of TTC.

Best of wishes to you!

HannahsMomma

01-19-2007, 01:28 PM

Thanks for the link timneh_mom !

KarmaJoy

01-19-2007, 07:18 PM

Hi! I am about 8 weeks give/take pregnant and nursing my 16 month old dd. I do feel my supply is dropping significantly (although how can you be sure?) becuase dd will come off the breast and ask for milk (signing milk, please)...like, " this isn't working, mom...where's the milk" so I need to know, when do I start her on cow's milk? She has really started to eat a lot more solid foods in the last few weeks but should I start giving her milk to compensate? Any advice is appreciated. TIA

Doussou

01-20-2007, 05:37 AM

Hello - what a great thread to find! I'm hoping someone has some ideas for me.

I'm 13 wks preg and my supply is definitely lower. My 14 mo. old DD is nursing as much at night (3X), but I can tell she's not getting much milk. So, she is now waking during the night, in addition to nursing times, crying and signing "eat." She is also waking between 5 and 5:30 (she used to sleep until 7), immediately gettting out of bed and going to the door, again signing "eat." She's obviously starving! She's a grazer, so she doesn't eat a huge dinner before bed. I gave her snacks just before bed last night, but she didn't eat much, and she got up earlier than ever today.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any brilliant ideas out there? Oh, and I offer her water, but she gets more mad and chucks the cup. Thank you!

wombatclay

01-20-2007, 07:21 AM

Well...we keep some rice crackers by the bed along with a cup of water and if DD is hungry she'll nibble on a cracker for a moment before falling back to sleep.

We wound up using crackers just because that's what dd always asked for, but something less crumbly would probably be good! Maybe a small slice of cheese?

forestrymom

01-21-2007, 12:00 PM

Hi, I'm Erin, 5 weeks pregnant and nursing my daughter, Haylee, 13 months. I too have noticed something odd, but not really a problem, with her nursing. She wants to nurse way more, and at night she doesn't seem to get that full, drift off to sleep, belly, although it seems as if she is swallowing just as much. And she seems to be comfort nursing a lot during the day, which she has never done! anyway...glad to have found this thread and wishing you all tough nipples and strong mindsets!

As a side note, my aunt exclaimed when I told her I was pregnant that I was going to deprive the baby of nutrients because Haylee was still nursing and that I must stop immediately. I told her it was an old wive's tale, but I don't tink I convinced her. Kellymom.com has some great info on tandem nursing, and I just ordered the book "Adventures in Tandem Nursing" so I will let you all know waht I think when I get it!

RachelS

01-21-2007, 12:15 PM

Welcome Erin!! :) I am so happy to see you here!! :)
Please let me know about the book! I am interested in it too! :)

Congrats again to you! :)

Hazelnut

01-21-2007, 12:46 PM

Can anyone else not tell when their milk comes in now? I think I remember reading that that was normal, but not sure.

RachelS

01-21-2007, 02:21 PM

hazelnut: I am really unsure how my milk supply is doing right now. My ds seems to be trying a lot harder to get some milk, so I think that the amount has started to change. This is a great question! How are we to know?

RachelSerena

01-21-2007, 05:22 PM

Hi! I'm Rachel, 8 weeks pg and nursing 25mo DD.

I never feel milk coming in anymore. I know that I have much less than I had before becoming pg.

I am also super sensitive (nipples) and our nursing has been cut down dramatically because of this.

wombatclay

01-21-2007, 06:18 PM

hazelnut: It's normal. I haven't felt let-down since around 6-7 weeks. I know there is some milk during the day since when dd pulls off there are a few drops on my breast and her mouth is milky. But there's not a lot...I used to leak non-stop (even after a year!) and now I never do. EVen if dd hasn't nursed in hours and hours there's no leaking.

However, I'm at 20 weeks and I think I may be getting some of my supply back (colostrum maybe?). Although there is still no let down and no leaking, my breasts have started to feel heavy again when dd doesn't nurse for a while and then lighter/smaller after a nursing session. Which wasn't happening for the past few months. So who knows?

Ruthe

01-21-2007, 07:18 PM

I'm nursing while pregnant again, and hoping to tandem nurse instead of weaning like I did the other two times.

forestrymom

01-21-2007, 08:42 PM

I am only 5 weeks, so take this fwiw :lol ! I still feel letdown and can still hear dd swallowing...as much as she did before (at least I think so), but she wants to nruse a lot more and stays latched on for a long time. It hurts like crazy, but its very special for me right now...she never comfort nursed and she has been al ot more the past week. When she was done sucking she was done. And she still seems satisfied when we are done, so I think she is still getting enough, but I guess I don't really know for sure.

Its also sooo cool thinking that my body is providing for 2 right now!

mommajb

01-22-2007, 08:03 AM

Hi, I am 6 weeks pregnant with baby #5 and nursing my daughter, 18 months. I nursed through my last pregnancy and tandemed after that. My soon-to-be-4yo daughter is nursing very, very infrequently.

I am sleeping much more soundly so my little one wakes me up by undoing and re-attaching the velcro on her bummi wrap repeatedly until the fear of her flooding my bed finally wakes me enough to let her latch on. :lol

I'll second Kelly Mom as a great source of info. I an trying to remember Adventures in Tandem Nursing, I know I read it but.... it's not coming to me.

I hope everyone finds that nursing while pregnant cuts down on morning sickness though I know it doesn't work for everyone.

Cardinal

01-22-2007, 11:59 AM

I am still nursing my 20- month old son. I am about 6 weeks along. I feel so sore after each nursing session. When I see him about to latch on I clench my teeth because of the pain! Youch! I hope it gets easier and not any more difficult!

wombatclay

01-22-2007, 12:05 PM

I wish it cut down on morning sickness! :)

With dd I had morning sickness for a few weeks. This time though it was all day sickness up until about 18 weeks, and still (at 20 weeks) I find myself getting nauseated very easily (like if I don't eat for an hour or two, or if there is a strong smell in the air, or even, in some cases, a food with a certain "mouth feel"). I think that, at least for me, the nursing makes it worse. Not that I'd stop nursing because of it!

momoen1

01-22-2007, 04:36 PM

I am 9 weeks pregnant and nursing my 14 mo dd. I have been having some nipple soreness, but it seems a little better. Last night was a tough one for the both of us. She was nursing, but I wasn't having a let-down. She would get frustrated, and I was getting tense b/c she would roll and thrash in my lap, and I just knew I would end up getting bit which never happened so my being tense was making things worse. She ended up falling asleep while I rocked her b/c she gave up on getting any milk. I'm really hoping for a better night tonight.

richella

01-22-2007, 09:10 PM

That sounds kind of like me and dd at that time. One thing we learned to do was to give her a glass of soy milk before the last nursing of the day. So she's not so hungry and the nursing is more comfort than nourishment. Also, she has adapted by eating more food. Turns out she was taking quite a bit of nutrition from nursing.

I had different nausea this time around, but not less. More indigestion and gas and stuff, it was definitely worse. But I couldn't say it's because of nursing, or not.

At 23 or so weeks, the nipple soreness is getting worse. My breasts do feel fuller, but I haven't started wearing pads again yet. Dd sucks a lot harder than she used to, but whenever I ask her, "Are you getting any milk?" She says, "Mmm hmm."

tarablesue

01-23-2007, 11:18 AM

I have a love hate relationship with nursing right now. Sully is at the stage ( or maybe my milk is dwindling) where he'd rather play than nurse. He licks, and flicks and everything but nurse when I offer. I am at the point where I think Im going to not offer , not refuse and try to stay mobile to see if I can distract him from nursing. I am not opposed to tandem nursing (ive done it twice now) but my girls were a lot more interested than this.

KarmaJoy

01-23-2007, 02:36 PM

I have a love hate relationship with nursing right now. .

That beats my attitude. I have more of a tolerate/hate nursing relationship right now. It hurts, dd is practically turning somersalts while nursing, I don't have much milk, and I never really loved nursing in the first place. I am really struggling, especially with so much negativity from friends/family. I have cut down nursing to before and after naps, before bed, in the morning, and of course, all night long. I would like to night wean to. :( Dd seems ok with the cut backs, if I offer her milk "in a cup" (which can be anything). But night weaning still seems too much for her. I am hoping one day she will just sleep through the night.

crittersmom

01-26-2007, 10:29 PM

I am feeling alot more soreness this time around.Actually it feels like they are biting me with little needles for teeth I cringe now.Its worse when niether one has nursed in awhile.DS is down to nursing once or twice every couple of days now.I don't know if there is anymore milk but I am fuller and firmer than a couple of weeks ago.

mama23boys

01-27-2007, 01:56 PM

looks like i'm joining this club :D

my name is Rachael and I'm almost 10wks pg and nursing my 12.5mo ds. so far he seems to be doing ok with getting enough milk. its just me having issues nursing bc i am getting so naseous (while nursing) espically at night and somedays i am just so darn touched out. sometimes i feel that weaning him now would be a great idea for me but not for him bc he is such a boob guy. LOL

anyways its great to find this thread!

stacey2061

01-27-2007, 02:18 PM

new here...just got my BFP this week and nursing a 13 month old! can't wait to dive in here...just going to go back and read this thread first!

ani'smommy

01-27-2007, 02:19 PM

I'm nursing DD who is 25 months now. I'm about 10 weeks pregnant now. I feel like my supply is dropping, although not by a whole lot. I felt let down when she nursed this morning, so that was encouraging.

The worst part is that my nipples are sore so it is very hard to sleep and nurse which I used to do all the time. So I nurse her for a while - like 15 minutes and then I have to tell her that I am very tired and that I have to go to sleep. She usually will be okay if I sing her a little song or two and then she falls asleep. If she really really objects I continue to nurse her, but it is not fun. :( Sometimes a drink of water will satisfy her, but she's a big comfort nurser. I'm afraid of what will happen when I'm nursing two babies at night. . .

WaturMama

01-28-2007, 04:37 PM

Knittingfor4

01-29-2007, 11:13 AM

I'm 12 wks with #4. This was quite a surprise and I was really worried. My first quit nursing around this point, he was only 19m. Z just turned 17m and he seems alot more attatched to nursing than #1 was. I'm not looking forward to tandem nursing, but I think I'll have to since the baby is due a couple weeks before Z turns 2. He'll still be too young to wean! My second baby weaned at 26m and I see a huge difference in the immunity of #1 and #2, so I learned my lesson big time :duck:

mama23boys

01-29-2007, 01:35 PM

Has there ever been a discussion of starting a sub-forum for nursing while pregnant? This is a huge thing on my mind now and there are so many topics I wonder about--keeping up milk supply, sore nipple issues, how nursing positions will change as I get more pregnant, maternity/nursing clothing, nutrition needs, dealing with people's comments. I'm sure there's more. Plus it is just nice to have community on this. I look at this 5 and now 6 page thread and just feel overwhelmed. Anyone else?
i totally agree with you bc i have a lot of those same concerns esp the nutrition part right now.

i am taking my pre-natals pills but bc i am so darn naseous i cant eat much which isnt helping me feel any better. and i'm sure its affecting all 3 of us.

i would love nutrition tips :D

Shahbazin

01-29-2007, 06:16 PM

Still nursing at 16 weeks preg,. & DD almost 9 months :) Some nipple soreness, my supply has been down a bit this last month (went from no solids to 2, then 3 meals, plus I offer water & formula at meals - not that she drinks much, but I feel better offering.) She still swallows a lot right at 1st, but switches from side to side a lot, which drives me nuts, since it's the latch on that's ouchy. Nurses every 3 hours though, & 2-3 times at night. Isn't growing a lot, but I don't know if it's a supply issue, or just a stage for her; she seems plump enough, makes a satisfactory number of dipes, & is real lively.

indiemamma

02-01-2007, 09:24 PM

Hazelnut

02-06-2007, 08:44 PM

Yes, I feel your pain. My son is just about 19months and will be over two when #3 is born. While I'm not in favor of harshly weaning him, the idea of tandem nursing doesn't sound too appealing to me right now. He's been so on and off half the night, it has been tough.

And I'm pretty sure that his on and off stuff has to do with less supply on my part. I was checking out the traditional medicinals mother's milk tea with fennel in it and whatever else. But it gives the standard warning of not taking this in pregnancy. I read those warnings so often they have become essentially meaningless to me. Does anyone have a firm, professional lowdown on whether or not these fenugreek teas are safe or not? Google's kinda all over on this one, and I don't see my midwife til next week.

Eaglevoice

02-06-2007, 10:22 PM

I night weaned dd earlier in my pg. I just couldn't handle it anymore, she was keeping me up all night long and nursing 10-20 times during the day. Now that we've night weaned, the day time nursings have reduced dramatically. To the point where I think we will be completely weaned by the time dc is born. I wasn't planning on weaning completely. And I'm totally open to reestablishing our nursing relationship. It just seems like at the moment, she's not really interested. When she does latch on, she's stays attached for maybe two minutes and shrugs her shoulders and says "all gone". So I'm assuming I don't have anything left in there. We'll see what happens when my milk comes back in.

Avena

02-06-2007, 11:00 PM

I too, thought I'd never get this far nursing DD who is 22 Months! But she's night weaned herslef, THANKFULLY! She can finally take a nap/or go to bed without nursing! I thought I'd NEVER get her too! But it's been all on her own! She still nurses a couple times a day but for only a few mins.

I have to say the pain was awful for me around 14 weeks...It's still painfull but I think I've learned to put up with it! I'm due soon I'm 35 weeks now... so hopfully DD will cope! I'm looking forward to nursing a babe with no teeth
:lol

Avena

02-06-2007, 11:03 PM

trmpetplaya

02-06-2007, 11:39 PM

I was out of town for a while, but dd is still nursing strong at almost 15 months and I'm 19.5 weeks pregnant now :thumb No pain thus far (at least nothing that even comes close to the thrush we had for five months - little twinges are nothing compared to that) and though I really don't have much milk, dd still loves to nurse and nurses to sleep. She has a sippy cup now to make up for the liquid she's not getting from my milk, but it hasn't really diminished her nursing much at all.

love and peace. :love

forestrymom

02-07-2007, 02:46 PM

mommajb

02-07-2007, 03:04 PM

Aw, that's tough. For many mothers the latch pain does lessen a bit further into the pregnancy (2nd trimester).

Night weaning a determined little one can be more work in the beginning than just nursing her. The best suggestion I have is to try to comfort her before she is distraught and to have somebody other than you do it. Perhaps this way you can begin to reduce her night waking and nursing. It really takes looking at the big picture and not the individual nights.

And September is a ways off, these little ones will go through so many changes before they are big sisters and brothers.

Sorry if you were just venting and didn't want suggestions but I hope you get that much needed sleep.

wildgarden

02-07-2007, 04:16 PM

I'm about 4 wks-ish. pregnant and still nursing my 15 mo. old DS. I am excited to find you all.

What extra supplements are you all taking? My mw told me to take my prenatals + 1000mg of calcium and 500mg of magnesium at night (because ds only nurses at night now...but that is all night).

Hazelnut

02-07-2007, 06:58 PM

oh gosh I don't know, should I be taking more supplements? I guess I shoulda called my midwife, but I can't get in to her til I'm like 14 weeks or something. I researched prenatals a little, but that's all I take, in addition to some prenatal DHA from Nordic Naturals. I'm a little afraid to mess with other supplements.

Now I'm curious to hear what other supps others might be taking.

Avena

02-07-2007, 07:30 PM

I have no one to vent to because everyone just tells me to wean! So I have to pretend like its always the most wonderful thing in the world at every minute of every day. Dd is waking up so much at night that I am terrified that I won't be able to keep up with 2 night nursers. And it hurts really, really bad when she latches on so I can't sleep. My supply seems to be doing okay, but the pain from the latch and the fact that she is up so much at night are wearing me down. I don't want to wean her...neither of us is really ready for that. Anyone night weaned a very high needs baby who is very determined that she will nurse no matter what when she wakes up at night? We tried to just comfort her last night and no one got any sleep until I finally caved in 3 hours later and nursed her. This is nuts!

Ahh mama! Sending you LOVE! I , too was in the SAME boat! I was crying, it hurt soooo bad and driving me nuts that DD wanted to nurse non-stop all night! I too had to give in and let her nurse, it was awful! I can only say that it will get better, we are living proof :) I wish there was something I could say that worked, but as my preg. went further, she did nurse less......
Hang in there, I know how tough it is.

Blessings!

mommajb

02-09-2007, 01:18 PM

just bumping up to see how people are doing.

flowers

02-09-2007, 02:24 PM

Hi Everyone!:twothumbs

So glad to find you! I am 8 weeks pregnant nursing my ds, 28 mos! We only nurse at bedtime, once or so in the night and when we wake up. Although we have been nursing at naptime again. (It's just easier and then I just fall asleep for a few minutes, too:wink ).

Definite nipple soreness and I brace myself when he latches on. Sometimes when he wakes me in the night I tell him my "chi-chi's" hurt and usually he goes back to sleep. Sometimes he cries for a few minutes then goes back to sleep.

I am just playing it by ear. If it stays painful I could see the nursings getting more infrequent at my encouragement or I could see us lasting through!

Only time will tell.

Anglyn

02-09-2007, 06:26 PM

I am 30 weeks along right now. I nursed my dd through my last pregnancy and was tandem nursing them both when this pregnancy occured. DD weaned a few months into my pregnancy when she was about three years, three month. She did have some gentle pressuation from me, mostly in the form of distraction, asking her to wait etc. then one day she just suddenly and miraciously started doing two things: falling asleep without nursing and sleeping through the night without nursing. I woh so she was mostly just nursing when I first came home and I started using a timer, which she responded too surpirsingly well. And ok, I'll admit, I started bribing her with hersheys kisses.

Anyway, I alwyas thought they would wean togather as ds2 never seemed attached to it, I mean, he was all business, drink for a few minutes then get back to whatever else he was doing. DD was the one who would nurse for hours literally, but once she weaned, he seemed to become more attached to it. Anyway, he has nursed these last four or so months with no milk coming out. He will crawl into bed with a sippy cup and alternate nursing and sippy cup.

Well, last night I heard him swallwoing and when he pulled off he grabbed a burp towel and wiped his mouth, so I grabbed a nipple and squeezed and I got MILK!! Yeah, ok, it didnt really look like milk, more like cloudy water, but there was liquid there!!!:lol

Just had to share with people who would understand. Just like dd when I was pg. with him, ds2 has been ill more and been constipated since my milk dried up. Im very happy to have it back, even if just a small amount (after a few swallows, he told me "gone, gone!")

wildgarden

02-09-2007, 07:44 PM

Anglyn, Congrats on the milk! That is exciting news.

Those of you who have nipple pain, when did you start to feel it? I am just curious.

DS has added his nap nursing in again almost everyday. So it is all night and sometimes at nap time.

indiemamma

02-10-2007, 11:23 AM

I feel SOOO guilty, but also really selfish...

I'm still nursing Jonathan (17mo), but after :+ , I have been actively trying to wean him at night... he was still nursing 2-3 times! DH and I are trying to go out of town for Valentine's day and we haven't done anything like that ALONE :couple since Jonathan was born. I do want to keep nursing him and am open to tandem nursing when the new one comes along... but this night time thing... and leaving him alone for the first time... is anyone else feeling my pain?

:lol

Well, Sunday night Jonathan developed pink-eye and when we took him into the dr. on Monday, we discovered that he also had an ear infection, so they put him on antibiotics. He was really fussy :( , and I felt so bad because he was sick that I abandoned my night-weaning efforts. By Thursday, he had developed an allergic reaction to the antibiotics and has had a raging fever :fever: until just last night. So the weaning thing is totally out the window and so is our romantic vacation. We're planning on taking him with us, so it will be a family :fambed21 vacation. Oh well. He won't be our "baby" baby for much longer, so we'll just enjoy him for as long as we can.

Good news is, with all the comfort nursing he's been doing, I have a FULL supply back! My boobs feel nice and firm again! :bf2:

richella

02-10-2007, 06:25 PM

That's interesting. Rowan pretty much night-weaned herself when the milk supply dropped. I think it got to be so much work to get any milk out that she doesn't want to do it when she's sleepy. We started giving her a glass of soymilk right before bed every night, to help make sure she's full enough to get through the night. I don't think any amount of nursing would bring my supply back up to normal at this point.

She still nurses 3-5 times/day. I have mixed feelings about it when I am sore. Some days I've had to make her stop before she was ready. It comes and goes, I can't find any pattern. But, it's really nice when I want to take a nap, usually I get in bed and even if she doesn't want to she will finally come in with me, just for the chance to nurse! I think when she is fully weaned she might never sleep, how scary is that?

KCMommy

03-05-2007, 08:43 AM

It's gotten quiet on this thread. Bumping it up.

I just read through the first 7 pages with interest because I just found out last week that I am pregnant (early on, maybe 4 weeks?) and my 2 year old daughter still gets most of her nutrition from my breasts. I think my supply is dropping, because she wants to nurse ALL the time now and seems unsatisfied. She changes sides a lot and says, "More!"

I haven't decided what I am going to do. I don't think I will tandem nurse because my husband would be appalled. I know it's my decision but I don't think it matters that much to me that I would risk the marital dischord.

I will probably nurse through much of the pregnancy, though. I guess I am hoping that with this supply drop that she may self-wean, because I am not into forced traumatic weaning of my babe.

I had some wicked latch-on pain a while back, but I am pretty sure it was before I conceived? I figured it was because of jagged teeth but maybe I will find out I was actually pregnant already.

Anyway, just glad to see this thread. And curious how everyone else's partners felt about the nursing/pregnant issue.

Eaglevoice

03-05-2007, 11:41 AM

I think you might need to educate you dh on the benefits of nursing. My dh was sort of weird about the idea of me tandeming earlier on in my pregnancy. And we were both pretty sure that dd was weaning for a while there. We even went a couple of weeks without nursing at all. Then she got really sick and she asked to nurse, so I let her. Now my colostrum has come in and she is nursing all the time again. I actually had gotten used to the idea of only nursing one baby when the new one came along. But it looks like dd has other plans. DH was talking to one of his friends last night on the phone whose wife just had a second baby. Their ds is 2 1/2 and he asked if his dw was nursing both babies. He said there was a deafening silence on the other end of the phone before his friend finally answered that his wife had weaned the older one at 12 months. Then my dh went on to talk about all of the benefits of nursing into toddlerhood and how he is planning on trying to be the best support for me during the early stages of figuring out how to nurse two at a time. It was really sweet.

There was a point in my pregnancy, where I was feeling so touched out and really did not want my dd nursing anymore. I'm glad we've re-established our nusing relationship now, though. Even if she is driving me a little insane at times.

Mearaina

03-05-2007, 02:02 PM

I am so glad to find this thread!! I just found out I was pregnant 2 weeks ago and my supply is almost nonexistnet. My nursling is 8 1/2 months old and I am concerned. She is starting to show signs of mild dehydration (not enough wet diapers), so I have been nursing as much as my sore boobs will allow, hoping she gets what little is there, as well as pushing her water bottle and we started offering formula after she was done with the breast the other day. But she won't drink much of it. I am starting to get rather worried about her. Please give me ideas to help her drink something. And is my supply gone for the duration of the pregnancy or will it come back later on? I plan on nursing her whether there is milk or not, and plan on tnademing once the baby comes.

Knittingfor4

03-05-2007, 09:52 PM

I'm 17wks now with an 18m old. He only nurses about 1 time in the night. I've offered, but he's such a busy body. If he does come over, he takes one suck then slides off, gives a big cheesy grin and runs off to play. I'm worried about his future health. I don't even know if I have milk anymore cause when he would nurse during the day and come off I no longer saw milk on me like before. I'm glad that it hasn't affected his behaviour or moods, but I feel so guilty for getting pg way ahead of schedule specifically because I did not want him to stop before 2. I also feel very hypocritcal because I'm just not forcing myself to pump. I'm blaming it on not feeling good enough, but it's just not an excuse! Also, I wouldn't like to tandem nurse, so I'm not hoping he gets re-interested after the baby. Of course if he does I will definately do it because it'd be best for him.

I think DH is just so used to the whole world of Bfing. I've been doing it almost w/out pause for 6 years now. We've always known about tandem nursing, and I assumed I would have to do it with the first two. But the same thing happened, ds1 self weaned at 19m, during my second trimester. I'm sure if I had he would have asked how I know the newborn is getting enough. But now I think he just considers me an old pro, beyond even questioning :wink

richella

03-05-2007, 10:42 PM

My dh has been totally leaving the bfeeding stuff to me. He supports whatever I do in that arena. MIL was different, she was pretty freaked out but got used to it very fast. Please, KCmommy, get Adventures in Tandem Nursing and if you can't get your dh to read it, read it yourself and tell him about it. I certainly wouldn't presume to know what is best for your family, but it seems like it's worth letting your decision be informed by some research and perspective. The author is not judgmental at all.

Ks Mama

03-06-2007, 09:12 AM

Hey guys, I'm posting this here, because I really didn't get many responses in the bf forums. I'm hoping someone here has even experienced this & can share. Going on day 3 of soreness:

(original post)--->

DD, now 29 months, is still nursing (though dramatically cut down since perhaps 20 weeks - she still nurses 2, 3, 4x per day, 1x night, 30seconds - 3 minute sessions), I am 25 weeks pregnant.

Suddenly today, my breasts HURT. I thought at first it was because she hadn't nursed all day, that maybe I was having some engorgement issues(?), though frankly, I don't think there's much, if ANYTHING left in either breast (DD insists there is, but I can't even hand express a drop), but after she nursed both sides, they still ached - like bruised aching. More on one side than the other.

What's strange is that during naptime nursing session I felt what was almost like a let down sensation. Strange because I haven't felt a let down in perhaps a year.

Is it possible that colostrum is coming in, and that would cause pain? I did try hand expressing right after nursing, and didn't get anything - just hurt.

The pain isn't really pinpointed, my breasts aren't warmer to the touch than usual, don't look unusual.

I've never had so much as a chapped nipple, and bf has always been relatively easy & pain free. Aside from irritation/slight pain on initial latch since I've been pregnant, which goes away quickly, I've had no experience with pain while nursing. I'm at a loss, and concerned.

Can someone shed some light?

Eaglevoice

03-06-2007, 12:17 PM

Well, I definitely felt the aching throbbing pain that you are talking about, but I think it was earlier than 25 weeks. Now I'm 31 weeks and it's still sort of painful to latch on for the first few mins and then it gradually gets more comfortable. I noticed that my colostrum came in a couple of weeks ago, so that very well could be what you are experiencing. Though, Im not feeling any sort of let down sensation. I think it's just all the wacky hormonal stuff going on.

mommajb

03-10-2007, 05:45 PM

Wow, this thread gets buried quickly!

I am hitting my second trimester, have only been nursing 1 for a few weeks. It was touch and go for a while but my 4yo dd seems done. Actually my 20 month old has really cut back to 3 regular times and only a couple random times a day. All this reduction in nursing, I am just far enough along in the pregnancy to have more energy, the sun is shining, I think I have turned a corner.

I guess no real news, thanks for reading. :loveeyes:

2bluefish

03-10-2007, 06:05 PM

I am breastfeeding my 7 month old. He gets yogurt and a small bottle of goat's milk each day as well - because I wanted to increase the fat in his diet (my kids are very slow gainers - he's around 13.5 lbs). He's starting to be interested in solids, but not to the point of using solids as fuel sorce. I'm also about 8 weeks pregnant. And lately he's been fussing and I need to give him more goat milk to satisfy him. I really don't want to wean him, but I'm concern my milk supply is dropping. Any mama's who have been in a similar situation and successfully kept their baby nursing? I really don't want to feed formula, and didn't feel bad about a little fresh goat milk because I was counting that as a supplement. But I don't want him to drink predominantly goat milk. Any advice would be appreciated.

It seems like if I can keep in on the breast, he can stimulate new let downs, but he doesn't always want to put forth the effort. TIA

Hazelnut

03-10-2007, 07:49 PM

I think my milk might be completely gone...he still nurses briefly at night for comfort, but not in the day, and I haven't felt it come in in days. It's so weird. I wasn't counting on tandem nursing, but I never dreamed it would just dry up this fast. I'm only 3 months along, and I had a very plentiful supply since he was born. :(

hannahnc

03-11-2007, 12:06 PM

My milk is back!! hooray!! I really thought it was gone for a while, but DD kept nursing (really short sessions). But it's back! I can hear her swallowing again and she's nursing like "normal" for us again! The pain is still there, but not nearly as bad as when there was little to no milk.

Hazelnut- maybe yours will come back too? Mine seemed to disappear about the same time (3 months) but now we seem to be doing good (6 months). good luck mamas!

2bluefish- i would say keep nursing as often as you can! None of the traditional supply things (oatmeal, more water, etc) really seemed to help for us.

flowers

03-11-2007, 04:03 PM

You know what is funny is my 29 mos/old is asking to nurse more than ever and nursing for as long as I will let him. Before we were settled into a before bed, maybe one night time and once when we woke up. Now he is asking all day.

I wonder if he is sensing the changes, or if the milk is changing taste, or if it is slowing down and he is trying to keep it up???

chlobo

03-11-2007, 04:35 PM

I am still nursing my 3yr old, although I have no idea how much she gets. Doesn't seem like much. I'm 19 weeks. When does colostrum usually come in?

Also, my OB told me I *must* stop or be at risk for preterm labor. Other than my age (40) I have no other risk factors. Am I really at risk?

flowers

03-11-2007, 04:37 PM

Sounds like your OB is not tandem nursing friendly. Maybe you should recommend a few books to him. I don't see any risk. I know tons of mom's who tandem nurse.

mommajb

03-11-2007, 06:34 PM

The hormones released during nursing are similar to the hormones released during sex and orgasm. If you have not been told to avoid these activities you should not need to wean. kellymom.com has more specific info.

Personally, I have a strong history of preterm labor but have carried longer while nursing than not. This is just my experience but I am comparing 34 and 36 weeks to 37 weeks. I did take in articles and info to my ob during my last pregnancy. I have no idea if she read them but she didn't bring it up to me again.

hth

chlobo

03-11-2007, 08:15 PM

Honestly, I don't think this OB is open to new information. when I pressed her on it before she told me she could send me to see "her" specialist who could tell me all the reasons why nursing while pregnant is bad. I've yet to find anyone else who agrees.

That said, I think I'm in the market for a new ob.

cheeseRjedi

03-12-2007, 12:16 AM

DD is 20 months and I'm 5 weeks pg. I think my supply is dwindling too b/c dd wants to nurse ALL the time, she often switches sides, and I don't really her her swallowing anymore.

Eaglevoice

03-12-2007, 12:32 AM

flowers

03-12-2007, 06:47 PM

Sounds like a good move to me. You will be happier.

Good luck.

NoNicChic

03-12-2007, 09:16 PM

I'm 19 weeks pregnant and still nursing my almost two-year old. And it's agony. My husband can't bear that I'm in such pain, it feels almost as bad as when I had thrush, and he really wants me to wean. She nurses at naptime and bedtime, so good luck trying to get her to quit! I tried putting her down for her nap without nursing today but it was a disaster. Tonight I nursed her before bed on both sides, but briefly. It is especially unbearable on my left side.

Will this pass? Can I expect it to still hurt this much when the new baby comes? Because I just can't see myself able to meet the nursing demands of newborn when my nipples are hurting this much! I really want to continue nursing my daughter, but the pain is just so excruciating! Will it get better before I give birth?!?!

SaraBravo

03-13-2007, 07:44 AM

im only 9 weeks pg but when dd (5 mo) nurses im starting to feel sore. some times its really bad but not often. my nipples are starting to become sensitive. last time they were extreamly sensitive until my 3rd trimester. i don't know how im going to deal with nursing if they get as sore as they were last time. im not having any problems with my supply yet thank god! im just scared that as they get more sensitive and she starts to get teeth i won't be able to keep nursing.

mommajb

03-13-2007, 07:57 AM