Doctors really frustrate me sometimes; why spout off about something when you're obviously uninformed?!
I had a doctor tell me once that my 2 year old was just sucking air. I said, well, how do you explain the fact that my 5 month old, who is nursing exclusively, has doubled his birthweight? His answer: my 5 month old was siphoning off all the fat (from that "air" in my breast) leaving none for his big sister.
: Who knew I had such a talented baby?!
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Anyway, to the OP:
If an OB are discouraging you from nursing while pregnant - a new OB may be best - or at the very least, yours needs an education!
Unless you're at risk for pre-term labor, nursing during a pregnancy should not harm the new baby. Your OB should be more aware of the current position held by the American Academy of Family Physicians:
Quote:
Nursing Beyond Infancy
Breastfeeding should ideally continue beyond infancy, but this is currently not the cultural norm and requires ongoing support and encouragement. Breastfeeding during a subsequent pregnancy is not unusual. If the pregnancy is normal and the mother is healthy, breastfeeding during pregnancy is the woman's personal decision. If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned. Breastfeeding the nursing child after delivery of the next child (tandem nursing) may help to provide a smooth transition psychologically for the older child.
Source: American Academy of Family Physicians |
Quote:
Can I Breastfeed During Pregnancy?
Yes. Simple as that answer appears, nursing during pregnancy presents issues to consider for a healthy and happy pregnancy.
Fears of miscarriage There is no evidence that nursing during pregnancy will cause a miscarriage. When a newborn begins breastfeeding, the suckling stimulates release of the hormone oxytocin into the mother's bloodstream. This hormone stimulates contractions in the breast (starting milkflow) and the uterus (expelling the afterbirth, while protecting mother against hemorrhage).
Experts maintain that oxytocin has much less effect on the uterus during pregnancy. Unless your pregnancy is term or the cervix is ripe, the released oxytocin stimulation is not sufficient to bring on labor.
Nutritional Needs A diet higher in calories and protein-rich foods is necessary because of extra energy needed to support pregnancy and breastfeeding. Choosing unprocessed foods to meet the caloric requirement is recommended.
Milk Supply After the first few months of pregnancy, the mother's milk supply may naturally reduce. The nursing infant may also experience a change in the taste of milk during mother's pregnancy and weaning may occur at this time.
Towards term, the milk will change to colostrum - that first milk vital for newborns. Following delivery, if the toddler remains breastfed, it is important the newborn is fed first to receive his/her fill of the nutritious colostrum. With proper rest and nutrition, the mother should not have a problem with supplying milk for both her nursing infant and toddler.
Breast Changes During pregnancy, the breasts become highly sensitive and breastfeeding may contribute to nipple pain. While non-pregnant nursing mothers have several alternatives when presented with nipple pain, a pregnant nursing mother's pain is usually due to internal hormonal changes, and her options for relief are limited.
Breastfeeding during pregnancy should be discussed with your physician.
Source: University of Nebraska Medical Center |
