Co-Founder of Lactnet, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
I am unexpectedly seven weeks pregnant. I have a 17-month-old who is still breastfed. He and I don't really want to wean, but my midwife strongly suggested it. She said it could lead to miscarriage or preterm labor. Can I continue as long as he wants (within reason)?
If you had a healthy and normal pregnancy in the past, with no problems of premature birth, miscarriage, or preterm labor, then there is no real reason—that I can see—to wean your toddler if you and your little one do not wish to. I would recommend taking your prenatal vitamins, getting rest, exercising, and a good diet. Other than that, there really is no reason that you must wean. If weaning is necessary, then so is abstinence from sexual activity, as the hormones involved in an orgasm cause uterine contractions, just as the hormones that are involved in breastfeeding do. If you have no history of preterm labor or miscarriage, I would stop [breastfeeding] if you experience [contractions], but if you are doing fine, I'd discuss it with your midwife and ask for more detailed reasoning as to why she suggests this. Perhaps she has more reasons that she is not sharing with you that would be good to discuss.

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