Countinuing to Breastfeed While Pregnant

COngrats on having twins! Wow. I don't know much about being pregnant with twins but I am a pregnant nursing mother and have done tons of research on it and it's perfectly safe. Especially if you only planned on continueing for another 4 months. Of course she doesn't like formula when she has breastmilk, would you? Do your research and present it to your Dr. if they insist that you wean her. She's still really young and greatly benefits from you nursing her.

Hi N.,

Congratulations!! I am a huge advocate for breastfeeding. My daughter was 3 lbs 9 oz when she was born early and I pumped and pumped and did everything I could to ensure that I could breastfeed her and I did, exclusively for over 6 months, until she started having problems thriving because she wouldn't drink enough and I became so exhausted trying to make her healthy that I was in tears constantly and started feeling overwhelmed.

I think it's wonderful that you want to continue breastfeeding while pregnant. It's very selfless of you and if you can do it, great. But I think you also need to consider the needs of your own body and what it's going through right now nurturing not just one baby, but two. In my opinion, unless your Doctor feels very strongly about it, continue to nurse if you feel up to it. But don't feel bad, and don't let anyone else make you feel bad, if you are just too exhausted to continue. You have a lot with a 2 1/2 year old, an 8 month old and two more on the way! Being a great Mom is more than just what you feed them and if you become overwhelmed you might not be able to be the Mom you always have been.

I just wanted to say that, I feel like sometimes, as Moms, we are guilted way too easily. Breastfeeding comes very easy for some, but not for others. I went through a lot to ensure my daughter received breast milk, and I would do it again, but not to the extent where I feel I am lacking as a Mom in other areas. We're not superwomen, we just have super strength love for our kids. :)

Now, onto your question. :) I would talk to your pediatrician about weaning your baby, if that's what you choose to do. What I have heard is that babies don't usually care what's in the bottle, but that doesn't seem to be the case with your little one. I have heard about people mixing formula with breastmilk to get them used to it slowly (starting with a small amount of formula and working up to only formula), but I'm not sure if that will work. I think all babies are different, and really, you will just need to try different approaches until one works. When my daughter started rejecting the bottle (didn't matter what was in it) we got to the point where I had to leave the house for a few hours and my husband took over. The idea was, if she was hungry enough she would drink it, and it was heartbreaking to even prepare ourselves to do this, but it only took a few hours and she started drinking the bottle. Again, I would talk to your Ped. and see if you can get guidance there.

Sorry I couldn't be more help. Good luck and take care of yourself and all your little ones!

C.

I am surprised they would encourage you to quit (but not shocked). Have you checked out Kellymom.com or a lactation consultant? Sometimes doctors aren't pro-breastfeeding as they should be. Remember, most dont even encourage BFing anymore. HEres what KEllymom says about this:

Is it safe to nurse during pregnancy?
Yes, in most cases. At this time no medical study has been done on the safety of breastfeeding during pregnancy so it is impossible to list any definitive contraindications. If you are having a complicated pregnancy, such as lost weight, bleeding, or signs of preterm labor, you should problem-solve your individual situation with your caregiver. Depending on your individual situation and feelings you may decide that continued breastfeeding, reduced breastfeeding, or weaning is for the best.

You're right, the 4 months will go fast! So if you want to continue, I would think it would be ok. Ask your doctor, if he presses the issue, where the scientific evidence is that says its bad. You've done so rgeat so far, I say you dont have to stop now! Good luck!

N.:

congratulations! there is no reason for you not to continue breastfeeding. the recommendations I made when you first asked have not changed.

P., RLC, IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Support Group, Inc
www.lactationsupportgroup.com

Congrats! I nursed while pg and it does have some challenges, your supply might dwindle, you may feel touched out, as you get close to your due date it can bring on b.h contractions. My dr told me to quit, saying I am increasing my chances of miscarriage until he saw how far along I was and I started quoting him % and stats. He admitted he might be a little behind the times and said he would look more into it. Our next appt he thanked me for giving him a reason to educate himself on the subject more. If you have no other risk factors nursing alone will not cause it, women have been doing it forever. If your dr continues to gives you a real hard time you can just leave out that bit of info. As you get further along your supply will most likely dwindle,
mine did around 18 weeks, maybe try weaning if you want then, baby might be more open to it when she is not getting anything from you. The only way I could get my first daughter to wean was to leave and let dad take over.