Breastfeeding, pregnancy and miscarriage

[Secondtimelucky]

I have just had a miscarriage at 8 weeks. I am also still breastfeeding DD, who is 15 months, morning and night.

I have heard people say that it's fine to keep breastfeeding in pregnancy, so long as you aren't at increased risk of miscarriage. Does anyone know what that means? Would it be wise for me to stop before we try again?

I would have asked at the hospital, but it was such a hideous experience that I couldn't bear to prolong things. And, quite bluntly, I didn't trust them to know an actual research based answer.

IIRC it's to do with the oxytocin hormone and contractions. This hormone is released when you BF, sustains contractions and is also released when you orgasm. Simply, if you are okay to have sex you are okay to carry on BF.

FWIW I have BF 4.5 months into one pg and all the way thorugh another and they were both late.

IIRC it's to do with the oxytocin hormone and contractions. This hormone is released when you BF, sustains contractions and is also released when you orgasm. Simply, if you are okay to have sex you are okay to carry on BF.

FWIW I have BF 4.5 months into one pg and all the way through another and they were both late.

ARGH!!!! SOrry about that computer going all weird on me!

Sorry to hear about your loss . I had an early m/c while I was bf dc1. I then went on to conceive dc2 and continued bf dc1 throughout pregnancy and beyond. I conceived dc2 whilst both the older 2 were still feeding (not literally!), though weaned dc1 a couple of weeks later. Still feeding the younger 2 dcs.

It's hard to have confidence when a m/c leaves you searching for answers. As I'm sure you know, they are v common (I had another before dc1, when I wasn't bf anyone). Ususally the cause is never known, but thought to be most frequently problems with the baby that mean it doesn't develop properly.

I found bf comforting after my m/c, and dc1 seemed to know I was sad and seek the closeness more for a little while as I recovered (he was 15 months).

You might find this from Kellymom reassuring. The info is from an excellent book called "Adventures in Tandem Feeding" by Hilary Flower.

An increased risk of m/c in medical terms would be that you have had 3 consecutive m/c (i.e. no completed pregnancies in between).

Be gentle with yourself. M/c can be hard going .

Thanks. That's really helpful.

Strangely, DD was desparate to feed yesterday afternoon, when she's only wanted morning and night for the last four months...

The idea of literally conceiving whilst tandem feeding made me laugh for the first time in days, so thanks for that. That would be a hell of a multitasking endeavour!

One of my miscarriages was while I was still bf DS, but I've had two miscarriages when not bf anyone and DD was conceived while I was still bf DS so I'm confident that there was no connection between the bf and the miscarriage.