Talk to me about pregancy and breastfeeding

[MummyBerryJuice]

I've just found out that I am about 5 weeks pregnant with #2 (Yay ) and DS (14 months) is still a complete boob fiend. He feeds around 3 times in the day and many, many times at night (we co-sleep).

I have no desire to make him stop but do understand that he might quit when the milk dries up. I'm fine with that too, although I do worry about losing my main parenting tool .

I guess I'm just looking to hear your experiences and any pointers you may have.

Congrats! I am 40 weeks pregnant today (!) and DD (2.4) is still BF. Never had any complaints about my supply and I've not had any significant nipple pain- it's been uncomfortable for the last week or so though but not enough for me to want to stop. I know exactly what you mean about not wanting to lose your main parenting tool!

Info on BF during pregnancy and tandem feeding is fairly easy to find now, I bought this book which is brilliant and answers pretty much everything you need to know. There are also tips and anecdotes in there from tandem mums. Kellymom is another good source and I'm sure you'd find umpteen blogs if you did a google search. You could also try going to a LLL meeting as well, you might meet some tandem mums there.

Overall people's reactions have been OK, most people assume that you'll be giving up but I've not had any negative reactions when I've said I'll be carrying on, just curiosity! I think some people must think I'm mad though.

My MWs have been positive although not very knowledgeable about tandem feeding. HV and GP were both a bit so I haven't bothered mentioning it to my other GP.

Good luck! :)

Congratulations MummyBerryJuice!

I'm probably infamous a right bore well informed on the subject of bfing & pg. I've nursed DD1 through DD2's pg and tandem nursed DD1 & DD2 through DD3's pg although DD1 self weaned when I was 8m pg and she was 3.6y/o.

I have a fairly predictable (though unusual as not all women even have a dip in supply) pattern of milk supply during pg - I have a normal supply to start but by 14 weeks I have dried up so DDs dry nurse with cow's milk supplementation until colostrum comes in between 24-26 weeks. In my last pg it was a bit later as DD1 & DD2 went on strike for 2 weeks after we went on holiday. Them breaking the strike appeared to bring in my colostrum.

On the subject of colostrum and toddlers - beware the nappies! They are absolutely something else, runny, mustardy and with food. Each time my colostrum has come back I have been convinced that DDs have had tummy bugs but DH has reminded me they look like newborn nappies with food in them just like you would expect.

Kellymom has lots of good info here on pg & tandem feeding.

I found bfing whilst in 1st trimester very irritating so used to limit duration of feeds to avoid all out weaning (bf for the length of 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' for DD1 1st time around or for the count of 10 at times for DD2). Of course though you may not experience this but if it does, it's a very normal hormonal response NOT an indication of your feelings towards DC.

Oh god, I'd forgotten the warning about toddler colostrum poo!! DD got the most awful rash from pooing so much, be ready to change nappies more often and get some sudocrem in.

I've just found out I'm pregnant as well, DD is 11 months and feeds at least 6 times a day.

I was also going to buy the linked book and will read the thread with interest.

My worry is that I don't want to give DD dairy but I've read if they're still getting four feeds a day you don't need to worry. I guess we'll see what happens. :)

Thanks for your responses.

I am worried about responses (particularly the in-laws) I suppose. At the moment it is still our secret but once we tell them I know my MIL will put at least some pressure on me to stop. My parents live abroad so it isn't as big a deal with them.

I'm reading Jack Newman's Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers at the moment and am leaving through the nursing toddler chapter. Which at least is making me feel less unusual.

Oh and EauRouge good luck with your new baby! I'm sure he/she will arrive soon!

Congratulations!

I fed DS1 throughout my pregnancy with DS2 and also tandem fed for about 9 months. I didn't encounter any issues, although there were definitely times where I was more sensitive than others. I did find myself having to limit the duration of his feeds during these times, but that didn't deter him. I'm sure there was a point where he was getting very little, but he didn't seem to mind.

On the upside, I did find it extremely useful to tandem feed in the early days. It seemed to make DS1 accept DS2 quite readily, maybe because he felt he was getting his mummy time too. I did try feeding them both at the same time, but found it too overwhelming.

The experience I had is that DD self-weaned when I got to about 16 weeks with this pregnancy (now nearly 26 weeks). She would have been about 20 months.

However, she wasn't much of a boob monster - only feeding first thing in the morning by that point. It was quite painful when she sucked and nothing seemed to come out. We reached a point where she latched on for a few hard sucks, gave a metaphorical shrug and demanded a banana instead. I let her keep doing this, but she pretty soon lost interest in trying.

Maybe I could have encouraged her had I wished, but I had no particular motivation to do so and was quite happy with things taking that course. Of course, she may show renewed interest when the new baby arrives.

I'll second the book. Really useful. Also, family - try and get your DH on side to deal with his folks and if possible yours if the voice doubts/complaints.

also trying to get in contact with other tandem nursers so you know it can be done and can point this out if anyone mentions 'not enough milk for two' etc