Could pregnancy be affecting my supply?

[fleacircus]

I have just tested positive today - noticed last night and tonight that DD seemed very 'sucky' - a bit like in the past when she was having a growth spurt. Could pregnancy this early be having an effect? She's 12mths and currently has BF first thing in the morning and at bedtime, I was planning to carry on at least for a few months more but now am worrying that it's frustrating her - she has recently been falling asleep really quickly during her night time feed but for the last couple of days has taken ages to settle. Any advice please?

My supply got less (DD complained that my boobs 'weren't working'!) but not until a few months in I don't think. However I know lots of women who have bf throughout pregnancy so I don't think it's universal

Thank you both for replies - she seems to have managed to build it back up a bit and is now back to a very short bedtime feed and a decent-sized 'first breakfast'. So hopefully we can carry on as planned!

And thanks sleepycat, I am super-excited and desperate to tell people!

congratulations! Just to agree with teh other two posters it definitely could be your pregnancy - my supply dwindled throughout the first trimester, went down to almost nothing in the 2nd trimester and then came up a bit in the 3rd trimester, but it didn't put DS off, he continued to nurse all the way through.

On the plus side it meant that he was able to be put to bed by my DH much more easily which has been handy for the new baby.

Anyway he was very happy when I gave birth and the milk came back properly and it definitely needn't mean the end of bfing if you both want to carry on.

I'm not sure how I'd manage BFing 2, TBH - had a very very hard time with DD because of undiagnosed tongue-tie, and I was in pain for the first five months pretty much constantly. I think I'm probably going to feel quite anxious about starting BFing again as it is. I do want to keep going for a while though, and we've only just managed to get down to 2 feeds a day so I think it will be a while before DD is ready to give those up!

I had the same problem (also first clue I was pg - when dd was 9m). I carried on with little feeds to about 14m and supplemented with a cup of warm milk as well so she got her bedtime milk. She was used to just that by the time the baby arrived and was fine with bf (still is). She didn't seem to mind giving up (and still has milk morning and night).

well I have found bfing 2nd time round much easier - so it might be a breeze.

but just to warn you, if you do decide to continuing bfing through pregnancy most people find it pretty uncomfortable. OK, in fact not to mince words, it was occassionally damn painful!

I'm not saying this to put you off because in a way I think it's helpful to know that the pain is not due to anything you are doing "wrong" and can't really be fixed - you just have to decide to accept it or to end the feed.

If baby no 2 doesn't have tongue-tie this time (and at least you'll know what to look for even if the health professionals don't!!) you should have a lot happier time breastfeeding next time!

That's definitely what I'm hoping - and yes, I will know what to look for and am willing to be a complete nightmare if it's not taken seriously!

I meant to post days ago: come and be supported on the pregnant and nursing support thread

Congratulations on your pregnancy, Fleacircus

Experiences of breastfeeding whilst pregnant vary a lot from mother to mother.

I was only slightly sore for a couple of days at 8 weeks pregnant and apart from that I had no pain or discomfort breastfeeding throughout my pregnancy. I found the hardest bit was positioning toddler around my bump (underarm rugby hold worked best for us)

I also seemed to have milk throughout AND I still got engorged a couple of days after the arrival of new baby..no idea why/how that happened.

If you like reading there is a website and book suggestion here and here

Good luck