Pregnancy and Weaning

Many women are advised to wean when they become pregnant because of concern that the unborn baby will be inadequately nourished. However, two studies cited in The Breastfeeding Answer Book show other evidence (Mohrbacher & Stock 2003). The study by Moscone and Moore (1993) found the babies of 57 mothers who breastfed during pregnancy to be healthy and the appropriate weight when they were born. In another study of 253 women conducted by Merchant and others (1990), no significant differences were found in the birth weight of babies when mothers who weaned an older sibling more than six months before conception were compared with mothers who breastfed into the second or third month of pregnancy. The women in this study who continued breastfeeding during pregnancy were noted to have taken more of the nutritional supplements made available to them and to still have shown evidence of reduced maternal fat stores. Mothers who breastfeed during pregnancy can ensure that they are eating nutritious foods, gaining weight as recommended, and resting adequately. They can consider taking prenatal vitamins as a precaution and consuming extra calories. If a mother is eating well, breastfeeding during pregnancy will not deprive the unborn child of needed nutrients (Mohrbacher & Stock 2003).

References
Merchant, K., et al. Maternal and fetal responses to the stresses of lactation concurrent with pregnancy and of short recuperative intervals. Am J Clin Nutr 1990; 52:280-288.
Mohrbacher, N. and Stock, J. The Breastfeeding Answer Book. Schaumburg, IL: La Leche League International 2003, p. 407.
Moscone, S. and Moore, J. Breastfeeding during pregnancy. J Hum Lact 1993; 9(2):83-88.