Breastfeeding and pregnant

[Sunshineeeee]

I just found out I'm pregnant and my LO is 7 months. I wasn't planning on falling pregnant just yet. Was hoping LO would be at least 15/16 months as I didn't want our breastfeeding to be affected.

Is there anyone that was able to nurse exclusively while pregnant? My baby relies 80-90% on milk and only has a little bit of solids. I'm so worried and guilty. I really don't want his milk to lessen or stop.

Congratulations! We conceived (planned) when my first was 8 months old and I fed throughout pregnancy. All was well- no nipple tenderness at all- until I was about 4-5 months pregnant and I went through a horrible period of nursing aversion. I can't describe how tough that was for me- I used to feed my eldest through gritted teeth/curled toes/digging my fingers into my thighs because I felt so much discomfort/rage- I absolutely hated it. The feeling passed after 6 weeks or so. I'm still feeding both- the eldest just before or bed or first thing after he wakes up. If you can manage it, keep at it. I do know of others who have weaned their babies off BM because they wanted a break before the second baby arrived.

In terms of supply, I don't think mine was effected. Or if it did, my eldest most likely comfort sucked. He was fully eating at that point anyway so I knew he wasn't hungry/losing out on nutrients.

@titnomatani thank you so much for your reply! That's making me feel a little more reassured. My LO loves his milk more than solids so I can't imagine him taking most of his nutrients from that. I just hope my milk doesn't dry up

How lovely that you have a great feeding relationship with your little one!

Tandem nursing is definitely a thing that lots of women do. In your case, because your wee one is quite young, you may well have to consider some sort of supplement: the pregnancy hormones will reduce your milk supply so that it reverts to small quantities of colostrum, for the new baby.

This is a really good article - it actually uses a seven month old as an example, so quite relevant to you:
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/guest-post-breastfeeding-through-pregnancy-and-beyond/

[quote Sunshineeeee]@titnomatani thank you so much for your reply! That's making me feel a little more reassured. My LO loves his milk more than solids so I can't imagine him taking most of his nutrients from that. I just hope my milk doesn't dry up [/quote]

Try not to worry. I felt really guilty throughout pregnancy thinking it wasn't fair on my eldest that I'd take away his main food source just because we'd decided to have another baby but it actually worked out perfectly- he still got the milk, cuddles, warmth from me and used to love running his little hands over my bump as he nursed (something he still does :)). I used to talk to him when he was feeding and tell him there was a baby in there and that he'd soon be a big brother- not sure he fully got it but I did used to get smiles from him. I found my milk turned to colostrum in month 7-8 and the toddler was bemused by this but still fed as normal. When the new baby came along- I'd let him feed first (from both breasts) firsts and then give the toddler a feed from one of the breast- that way, the baby still had exclusive access to one for a full feed.

Ps. I wasn't one of those mums who could feed both babies at the same time- it just didn't feel right for me- but be prepared for when baby number two comes along- if your first is snitching like mine, they'll want to feed at the same time for the first couple of weeks. I let it be until the toddler was less threaded by his brother and then did the 'first baby's turn, then yours'.

@RockCrushesLizard thanks! I just had a read. Ok I need to get my thinking cap on. No idea how much I'm meant to be supplementing or when to start. Just when you think you've got this baby thing down something new pops up 😬🥴

Yes, I breastfed through one pregnancy and tandem fed through another.

I found it nothing but an advantage. I chose to breastfeed under the arm like a rugby ball hold, easier for my big breasts. So I would have toddler on one side and new born on the other.

I remember getting the older baby/toddler to take the first couple of minutes milk off both sides, eased the pressure of milk to a more steady flow (rather than fire hydrogen pressure) for the baby.

If you want any hints or tips just ask or PM me.

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

Ps. Your older child poo might change colour or consistency later in pregnancy, that is just the milk turning into colostrum ready for the baby. Nothing to worry about it changes back on its own.

Plus by giving the toddler the first nursing session, they get the more watery milk that has less fat in it. Then the newborn would get the hind milk which is thicker milk with more day, makes the baby sleepy.

My youngest baby slept so very much !

@Worrysaboutalot thanks a lot. Daft question, how do I PM you? I'm new to mumsnet.

Click on the bottom right of my post where the three dots are.

It brings up a menu, select PM and type in the blank box and click send.

I’m tandem feeding at the moment - baby is 9wo and toddler is 2yo so I have a bigger gap. My supply dropped quite quickly and milk switched to colostrum at about 4/5 months but this might be different for you especially if your first is younger - my son kept feeding anyway. I can recommend the book “adventures in tandem nursing” which I didn’t actually read until after my baby was born (because I didn’t really intend to tandem feed as I thought my eldest would self-wean and he... didn’t!) but it has accounts of lots of women’s experiences of feeding in pregnancy and feeding two, and tips for how to manage different stages. I got a copy from my local la Leche league library so if you are interested it might be worth seeing if they have one if they are pending at this time

I do exactly as Worrysaboutalot describes - use the toddler to take the full force of the letdown and the baby gets a more manageable flow. My baby put on 3oz from her birth weight in her first week which I didn’t even know was possible

@Catastrofuck thanks for sharing. Yes I worry a lot about my supply and seeing as it's my baby's main source of nutrition it's putting me on edge. I hope it isn't affected for at least another 6 months but I think that's being overly hopeful. After that my baby will be 1 and can just have comfort feeds.