7 mo, pregnant and nursing ?'s....

[rellorba]

I just found out last night I'm pregnant. I'm shocked but elated. I wanted to continue bf'ing until DS was at least 1 year old but for the past week he's been so fussy at the breast (boy does it hurt!) and I'm wondering if he's getting enough milk.

Nursing him is a constant tug of war (literally). He tugs steadily until and through letdown and only eats for like 3-4 minutes on each side, if that. It's hard to believe he's getting all he needs in those few minutes. Then he is sometimes happy but sometimes fusses and pulls on my shirt like he wants to keep eating. I offer it to him again and he's on and off again until we finally just give up.

After he ate this morning I offered him some bm I've had in the freezer and he wasn't interested. Is it possible that my milk supply has NOT diminished but the taste is different and he's being fussy about that? What would you do? We only go to the pediatrician every 2 months or so. Should I go get him weighed to see if he's lost weight? Any advice or thoughts? Thanks!

[rockingmybabe]

Since you are pregnant, your milk may begin to taste "salty." Some children are not bothered by the change in taste (mine weren't, but they were older), and others will care for it. Why? I don't know, nature's way of weaning, I guess. My husband weaned at 6 months likely because his mother was pregnant with his younger brother.

Since your son is under 1, I would be very careful in making sure he's getting enough. You may try some herbal galactagogues to boost your milk supply (check first to see if they are compatible with pregnancy), and you may need to supplement with formula or donated breast milk. Pregnancy can cause supply to decrease.

It is possible that his fussiness is due to not getting enough milk, or he may not like the taste. Watch your son. Is he alert and active? Is he wetting and pooping regularly? It may not hurt to have him weighed regularly too...maybe at your midwife or doctor's appointments you can use their baby scale. :)

Good luck! And congratulations!

I am sure that there are others who've BTDT who can give you even more information.

[Dov'sMom]

How long had it been since he'd had a bottle?

I found out I was pregnant when DS was 6.5 mo, and my supply started to drop dramatically. Funnily enough, whereas he'd been fine taking bottles up till then, once there wasn't enough in my breasts he suddenly became much more finicky about the bottles, and, in fact, he wouldn't drink anything from a cup or bottle for almost 3 months (except when he was mostly asleep and didn't realize it). We had to trick him into drinking formula by feeding him cheerios and milk with lots of milk in each spoonful.

[rellorba]

Thanks everyone! We never give him bottles, although I occasionally offer him a sippy cup with like an ounce of water to practice and play with. He really just plays with them and chews on the mouth.

His wet diapers have decreased a lot in about the last month and a half. He used to leak through a diaper at night so I had taken to changing him around 1 am. Then suddenly he was going all night and waking up in the morning with a wet diaper but it was never leaking. I say this b/c it's hard for me to judge whether or not he's wetting enough. I don't know what normal is anymore! I called the pediatrician about that and he wasn't concerned because there were no other changes in him.

He's pooping plenty and they're still very liquidy but chunky, with carrots or whatever food he ate that day.

[Linzie2]

Thanks everyone! We never give him bottles, although I occasionally offer him a sippy cup with like an ounce of water to practice and play with. He really just plays with them and chews on the mouth.

His wet diapers have decreased a lot in about the last month and a half. He used to leak through a diaper at night so I had taken to changing him around 1 am. Then suddenly he was going all night and waking up in the morning with a wet diaper but it was never leaking. I say this b/c it's hard for me to judge whether or not he's wetting enough. I don't know what normal is anymore! I called the pediatrician about that and he wasn't concerned because there were no other changes in him.

He's pooping plenty and they're still very liquidy but chunky, with carrots or whatever food he ate that day.


This has to be so tough, mama! I just wanted to add that around that age DD's diapers started decreasing. I wasn't pg but it did make me worry about supply. After awhile I just figured her bladder must be getting bigger and she was holding it longer! Def something to watch closely, tho!

[rellorba]

Well, bad news. I took him to the doctor today and he's lost weight, so I guess it is a milk supply issue and not just taste. Any suggestions to bring it back up or am I doomed???? :( The doctor said I need to supplement. I have some frozen breastmilk but he won't take it! He just wants to play with it and doesn't seem hungry.