to wonder where my GP and midwife get their information from (re: breastfeeding while pregnant)

[BlueBubblegum]

DD is almost 1years old, still breastfeeding her 3 times a day. I'm just over 3months pregnant (15weeks).

When I went to the GP to get a referral, I told him I'm still breastfeeding and intend to continue throughout the pregnancy and up until she's two if I can manage it. He strongly advised against this, he said my supply would decrease and she wouldnt get enough. So I said I'd supplement her when that does happen and for now I think she's getting enough as she doesnt seem to be complaining, seems as content as ever when she's finished. His reply was well it still wont be good enough for her, you need to stop.

Several reasons why I want to continue for as long as I can, one of them is because DD will not take any milk (formula or expressed) from a bottle or beaker, she can drink upto 3 ounces of water from a beaker but as soon as I pour some milk in there, she wont have any, no matter how hungry she is.

Had an appointment this morning with the midwife to get results back for blood tests (all OK thankfully) and she said very firmly to stop right away from toight, apparently the milk isnt good enough for DD, because it contains pregnancy hormones. I asked if there has been research done to prove that breastfeeding is harmful and she replied 'yes I think so'.

I've done my own research and as far as I can see, its perfectly safe unless there is a history of miscarriage (which thankfully I dont). I know it will get uncomfortable as my pregnancy progresses but ofcourse if its get too much, I wont put any pressure on myself to continue.

So where do they get information from? Is there any research to prove that breastfeeding when pregnant isnt safe?

Just need a bit of reassurance really. I know I will get asked about it the next time I see my midwife.

Oh and just to add, even the dentist said I shouldn't be breastfeeding her, I should have stopped when she was 6 months old, its no good for her teeth (even though she only got her first too tooth at 10 months). Well she's only feeding three times a day for no more than 5 minutes at a time, I doubt thats going to have any last damage on her teeth. Seriosly, I thought health professionals are supposed to be encouraging breastfeeding?

Absolutely ridiculous! Have a look on Kellymom for some good info. (and print it off for the idiot HPs)
You will find lots of MNers bf'd when pg - I did - and quite a few that tandem fed too.

It's bad that they are even expecting you to justify why you are continuing . 2 years is the recommended minimum!

Congratulations on your pregnancy

Utter nonsense. My older one was 2.3 when my second was born and I tandem fed for 2 years.

Just play it by ear. She might self wean she might not.

I dont think, though i could be wrong, that there is any research to prove them right. I fed throughout my second pregnancy and am still feeding dd3 having just found out im pregnant with dc4, i suspect dd3 will self wean soon but thats because she doesnt seem that interested anymore. i fed dd1 up till 2 1/2 whilst pregnant and bf dd2, its hard work but never did either them or me any harm. good luck, hope this helps a little

I fed while pregnant. Those HCP's know nothing and I am annoyed about it. They SHOULD know better than that, it is their job.

I fail to see the reasoning behind she won't get enough so you had better stop altogether. Surely then she would get nothing at all?

That dentist should not be saying that either.

They are spouting shite sadly misinformed.

GP is talking bollocks. I know plenty of people who have BFed through pregnancy. Tandem feeding wouldn't exist otherwise!

milk will probably dry up at some point and then be replaced with colostrum but you can still nurse i.e. feeding without the milk, IIRC.

I truly wish I'd carried on BFing DD longer and tandem fed with DS. best of luck to you

is 2 years the recomended minimum?

I thought that too HC- surely at a year the baby can get what she gets! If this was an exclusively bf baby then I can see why supply would be an issue (still wouldn't think the solution would be "stop").

They have all told you a load of crap. As a fellow HCP I am ashamed

You are doing great. No problem tandem feeding/feeding while pregnant if you are happy with it. What nonsense.

yes DF, exclusively for 6 months then until at least 2, continuing as long after that as it suits mother & child

i aslo bf dd1 while pg with dd2. then went on to feed both and have just stopped feeding dd1 2 days ago. she is 2.5 years old.

my midwife told me that it is perfectly natural to feed while pg and she encouraged it

I fed DS2 when I was pregnant. Be warned it did get sore (may be coicidence) around 20 weeks ish, and DS gave up suddenly whne he was 18 months, I think the milk changes slightly and definatly towards the end of the pregnancy. I was quite relieved he gave up though as it was quite draining but in all my research there was nothng wrong with it (bar history of early labour). Also, with regards to the dentist thing, breastfeeding is better than bottle (which is what you'd have to give if you stopped at 6m ) because the milk doesn't pool in their mouth as they have to actively suck to get it out, and also it has antibacterial properties.

if you are feeding her solids too cant see why its an issue

since when is 2 years the recommended minimum tho? thought it was 6 months....

Thanks all for your replies, its so reassuring. Its been so disheartening everytime I've seen a HCP discouraging me from breastfeeding, I always thought I was doing what was best for DD. Especially when she has her days when she goes off her food (like right now when she's had four teeth come in all at once), and the only thing that she'll have is breastmilk, atleast she's getting some sort of nutrition, makes me feel less stressed.

When she's eating well, she gets the bulk of her nutrition from food and she doesn't seem to drink much so not really worried about my supply as she usually loves her food (I have to stop her over eating sometimes!).

2 years is what the World Health Organisation say is the recommended minimum. 6 months is how long we are recommended to exclusively breastfeed (i.e before introducing formula or solids).

My DD did self wean when I was pregnant with DS as there was very little milk (i got through the soreness stage) and she lost interest but she was very nearly 2 years at the time and I was happy to stop.

DS despite all my best efforts (everything LLL and NCT breastfeeding councillors could suggest I tried to no avail) self weaned at 9 months v v v as my last baby.

However, neither have ever had formula NOR drunk cows milk (including DS from 9 months) and seem fine don't think you can use that as a defence, she doesn't need milk as long as she has enough dairy rich foods during the day.
Both children 75th centile for weight and height despite very little dairy

btw......those who have conceived whilst bf-ing......was it relatively easy? Did it take longer than it took you to conceive DC1?

from the WHO site

"On a population basis, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is the recommended way of feeding infants, followed by continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods for up to two years or beyond."

it took me about the same length of time - i started ttc in august then had my first period mid october then end of november, then i got pg. That was with DS still fed on demand when I was at home, and feeding at night

FGS they're talking rubbish. At 1 yr old, your DD won't starve, it isn't like she's not on solids. Surely any milk she's getting from you is a bonus and very good for her. She and you are happy just carry on.

" I asked if there has been research done to prove that breastfeeding is harmful and she replied 'yes I think so'."

I found a paper that concludes that there's no additional risk of spontaneous abortion, as you concluded (1) but I couldn't find anything on health implications for children fed by a pregnant mother. Ask for a reference.

1. "Does breastfeeding induce spontaneous abortion?", Ishii H, Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Research 35(5):864-8, 2009 Oct

35(5):864-8.

Utter NONSENSE!! Has made me angry! And what rot about 'it not being enough' she is 1 so is eating solids? Many babies wean at this age and don't get any milk-so I don't understand that argument! for you and other mothers told this crapfrom hcps

What a load of twaddle.

I continued to feed DS during my pregnancy and it was wonderful to sit on the sofa in those later months when I needed a rest. It was the only way I could get my hyperactive energetic DS to keep still.

But very seriously, I developed gestational diabetes in pregnancy number 2 and my consultant told me that breastfeeding would help control my blood sugar. So, it turned out to have benefits for me, too.

When I had both boys and was tandem-feeding my elder son used to hold hands with his baby brother and teach him how to feed. It was very sweet and used to make me quite tearful in those emotional early days!

I also had some ridiculous advice from the MW at hospital. She told me to allocate one breast for the newborn and one for my toddler so that my boobs would produce the right milk for each child. Obviously it was ridiculous and I did make the face at her.