How does BFing effect hyperemesis?

[IgotaBFP]

I need you to be honest and not just encourage me to carry on BFing if there is a chance that BFing is going to make hyperemesis worse as I won't be able to care for DD at all if that is the case, nevermind BF her. I'm not wanting to tandem feed so I guess that I'll have to wean at some point in the not-too-distant future but if all goes well otherwise, I wasn't planning to wean just yet.

[PortAndLemon]

I don't know about hyperemesis specifically, but those who breastfeed during pregnancy seem to be split reasonably evenly between believing it makes their nausea worse, believing it makes their nausea better, and believing it doesn't affect it one way or the other. So I think it's a case of trying it and seeing which camp you fall into (personally I was in the "didn't affect it one way or the other" group).

There's a good chance your DD will self-wean during pregnancy if you do carry on -- I think something like two-thirds of DCs do.

[policywonk]

I don't think it made much of a difference to me either. I do remember that I never once needed to vomit whilst actually BF-ing, so maybe it does have a slight preventative effect - at least for me.

Be careful that you don't get too tired, as that can be a real trigger.

[IgotaBFP]

Thank-you Ladies. I thought that I would see how it went and try to get as much rest as I can with an 8mo baby to look after as well this time. I haven't worked out yet whether I'm being very brave or very stupid.

[crokky]

I have had hyperemesis with my 1st pg. I bfed DS for a year, then stopped and got pg again. And got hyperemesis again. There is no way I could have bfed DS whilst pg, my body just could not have taken it. The suffering that hyperemesis causes is so severe and for me, I felt I was struggling to stay alive, quite literally. There is no way I could have done anything on top of carrying on breathing!!!! let alone produce milk for another LO. If I was you, I would be very careful with your health because IMO, your body has to work to bf, but with hyperemesis, the only work the body can manage is to stay alive. It is something I could not have possibly contemplated - I can accept that ordinary morning sickness may be improved or worsened by bfeeding depending on the person etc, but I would be very surprised to hear that people manage to bf whilst pg with hyperemesis. Someone may come and prove me wrong!! Anyway, be careful and listen to your body. Hyperemesis is a shocker.

[Swaliswan]

Thanks Crokky. You have pretty much summed up my fears and how I'm feeling. It is hard to explain exactly what it is like to suffer with HG to someone who has just had normal morning sickness. I think that DD may be in a bit of a huff with my milk judging by her feeding tonight so I don't think it will be long before she goes on a full blown nursing strike. If/when that happens I don't think that I will be doing anything to try and convince her otherwise. I need to consider safety first rather than extended BFing iyswim?

Have name-changed back BTW as DH now knows!