Nursing during pregnancy

[MichelleOR84]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently 8 weeks pregnant and nursing my 13 month old. My nipples are soooooooo tender . From your experience, does it get better or worse as pregnancy goes on ?

I know some people’s milk dried up by 4/5 months too. Did this happen?

I’m really hoping to nurse until at least two years but I’m trying not to have my heart set on it 😔

I am 39 weeks and breastfeeding my 22mo still. I actually thought he might stop when my milk changed to colostrum (it probably was at about 4/5 months, but I forget exactly) but he didn’t, so here we are. I won’t lie - I find it very uncomfortable, though that tends to go in phases and it is less sore for some periods - and now that I am looking at tandem feeding I really hope the soreness settles once the newborn feeding is established. If you’re prepared to feed through the discomfort (and it’s absolutely ok to say that it’s too much to tolerate) all you can really do is take their lead. My son was definitely not ready to stop even once the milk changed.

11 weeks with a 15mo. It's not pain with me.its aversion. I'd swap it for pain any day (although I've never experienced pain with BFing so that's probably a wish I would regret). I'm waiting on my MW to get back to me about magnesium supplements as I've heard they help but don't know what the safe side in pregnancy is. Can I ask @IvinghoeBeacon have you been pumping for your 22mo. I'm very confused about this because they tell you not to harvest colostrum before 37 weeks in case you induce premature labour but surely if you're feeding a baby/toddler already this would be the same. I'm currently expressing milk through the day to tank up the toddler before bed because I can't bare to have him attached for more than 5 minutes. He also has a cow's milk allergy so his feeds are pretty important

My little boy is also 22 months and I’m 16 weeks pregnant. I was still nursing him once a day until 2 weeks ago.
I found my boobs were less tender after 10 weeks, but I found I just wasn’t enjoying it as much any more. It made me feel a little sicky and tired. I also found my son just wasn’t interested anymore. He was spending about 30 seconds on each side. Since we stopped completely he hasn’t asked for it once.
I also wanted to nurse beyond 2 years but think you both just have to take things day by day and listen to what your body and your baby wants.

FirstTimeBumps I was told (and no idea what evidence there is to suggest it’s true!) that harvesting colostrum affects the body differently to breastfeeding. I am harvesting colostrum and waited until 37 weeks to do so, I’m getting mild contractions from time to time anyway, so no idea whether the feeding or harvesting makes any difference! I’m not sure what to suggest about expressing milk because I didn’t do it at all. I would suggest contacting La Leche league as someone might be able to give you one-to-one advice, or getting hold of a copy of “adventures in tandem nursing” book because that might have more info. I only got hold of a copy last week and have ignored the pregnancy bit as I’m now so close to delivery.

Thanks for the replies . I just wish there were more . I guess nursing during pregnancy isn’t as common as I thought .

I will keep going as long as my son wants even though every nursing session is torture. I just hope it eases up a bit .

I think it isn’t that common - most of the midwives I have seen have been surprised (not the one who was pregnant and breastfeeding herself!). It’s unfortunate that there aren’t RL breastfeeding support group meetings at the moment as that is where you would likely meet women in person who have experience of this. But many eg la Leche league are doing online activities and support so it might be worth looking up your local group to see if there is anyone who you could talk to?

I'm feeding my 25 month old and I'm 12 weeks pregnant. My milk supply (usually really high) really dropped about a week ago and since then it's been painful on occasion - my nipples are definitely much more sensitive than they have been. So far it's uncomfortable and I can put up with it but I don't know whether it's going to get worse! She's still feeding constantly, doesn't seem to mind she's not getting as much, and I would feel terrible if she is forced to stop, so hoping it doesn't get any worse!