Breastfeeding a young baby when pregnant

[eggsnmarmite]

I have a 3 month old and am exclusively breastfeeding. I love breastfeeding and breastfeed my now much older children until.they were over 2. I wouldn't know how to care for a young baby if I couldn't brEast feed.

I'm having to get an emergency coil fitted as I messed up big time when my partner came back from being away for 6 weeks. It was just a one-off and won't happen again but I had a period 2 weeks before so there's a chance that if I can't get this coil fitted, I might fall pregnant.

My question is, if I did fall pregnant with a baby so young, would I still be able to breastfeed him until aged 2 or would my milk supply dry up and leave me having to formula feed him?

If I know that there's a good chance I can do this, I'm going to feel much less anxious.

[eggsnmarmite]

breastfed

[bigmamapeach]

I think it can be quite variable, some mums can bf ok while pg but some find they can't sustain it and slow down or stop. Milk supply can be affected and if it's during the period baby is ebf, that could be an issue but I'm not clear how much of the time that is likely to be. I know mums who have continued to be durung pregnancy but this hsd been an older baby, who has managed ok on the reduced supply plus solids.
You might need to get some more expert advice (bf support group or a lactation consultant) if you are pg, to discuss your options and how to plan things if your supply were to be affected. In principle, I would say you may well be able to continue bf through the pref and beyond, but whether you can provide the little ones needs thru to once they are established on solids, without needing to supplement, I don't know. Congrats, if you are due no2!!!!

[eggsnmarmite]

Thanks Bigmamapeach. It would be #4. My other two are much older. This is going to be a long two weeks! :(.

[User0157]

Did you take the MAP?

[eggsnmarmite]

Nope. Got scared about it drying up my milk. I'm gambling on being able to get a coil fitted tomorrow at a clinic or not getting pregnant.

I feel sick with worry.

I'm very sleep deprived as DS2 has been feeding around the clock this last three days and it's hard to think straight.

I went to see an out-of-hours doctor but only saw the nurse who knew nothing about the pill stopping supply or not only that it's fine most of the time.

[User0157]

It's a shame she didn't check the BNF as it clearly says in there that levonorgestrel does not affect breast feeding. Good luck tomorrow, I hope it works out.

[Artandco]

I breastfed both children until 2 1/2 years. Second was born when eldest was 15 months, so from 6-15 months old I was pregnant and fed fine. Then fed newborn and eldest for over a year together also