S.R. asks from Lowell, MI on February 09, 2009
Question About Getting Pregnant
Hi Moms,
I am hoping to get pregnant again soon but also want to nurse for 6 more months. I hope this doesn't sound like a silly question but I'm wondering how many of you gals have gotten pregnant while nursing.
More Answers
K.G. answers from Detroit on February 09, 2009
Yes I did get pregnant with both of my younger girls while still nursing.
There are a few details that you left out. How old is your current nursling? Have you gotten your period yet? If you havn't there are a few things that you can do to encourage your return of fertility.
Be aware that you may come up against some resistance from the medical community. Some Drs falsely believe that you cannot nurse while you are pregnant. It is safe to nurse during pregnancy as long as you are healthy and you have a healthy pregnancy.
I encourage you to check out your local LaLeche League meeting to get more information as well as support! They are very supportive of nursing through prgnancy as well as tandem nursing if that is something that you are interested in.
If you have any more questions feel free to personaly contact me!
BLessings, K.
L.O. answers from Detroit on February 09, 2009
i was nursing my 9 monthold when i got pregnant-- if you are having menstral cycles you can get pregnant
S.H. answers from Saginaw on February 12, 2009
I am still nursing my almost 2 year old, and I am currently 14 weeks pregnant. I did not resume my period until my daughter was 15 months old, and then I didn't get pregnant until she was over 20 months old. I am aware of many people who have gotten pregnant while nursing, but it varies quite a bit by individual. For most of them, the first child was 15 to 18 months old, but I do know 2 who became pregnant when their first child was 3-7 months old and they were still nursing.
N.W. answers from Detroit on February 09, 2009
FYI- you should talk to your pediatrican and OB, most recommend to not nurse while pregnant. If you want to nurse for 6 more months, I would until you are done to try getting pregnant.
R.Y. answers from Detroit on February 09, 2009
Sherry,
I was nursing my then 9 month old son when I became pregnant with my now 3 1/2 year old daughter.
BTW, I was shocked because I hadn't had a period since I gave birth to my son. So they are 18 months apart.
Good luck to you!!! =)
R.
H.H. answers from Saginaw on February 10, 2009
I was nursing my daughter when I got pregnant with my son. (They are 15 months apart.) And I was nursing my son when I got pregnant with my second son. (They are 25 months apart.) I was nursing both sons for 11 months and probably would have gotten pregnant again if I hadn't had my tubes tied!
M.W. answers from Kalamazoo on February 10, 2009
It is an old wives tale that you can't get pregnant while nursing. There is some truth to the matter, but you must nurse for a certain length of time every few hours for it to keep your hormone levels high enough to prevent pregnancy. So basically unless you know the formula and stick to it or exceed it, you shouldn't have a problem conceiving. :) My lactation nurse talked to me about it, but I don't remember the details of how much and how often. The point was that most women don't nurse that much unless they have twins or are in the earliest part of their nursing relationship.
Good luck, you should be fine. Many women still are breastfeeding one or two children when the baby is born, I remember being freaked out at a LeLetche League meeting because this woman was talking about having to wean at least one of her children before the baby was born. I was like HELP! :)
R.H. answers from Cincinnati on February 10, 2009
Hi Sherry,
I only have one child... BUT I know plenty of women who became pregnant while nursing. If your cycle has returned, then you are ovulating and you can get pregnant. With some women breastfeeding surpresses their hormones enough they don't ovulate. This was true for me. I didn't start having my periods again until my daughter was down to 2 nursing sessions per day. She was 15 months old.
In addition, I know women who actually tandem nurse. Meaning, they are nursing an older baby AND an infant. It is possible. La Leche Leauge will have a ton of information on this, plus a great deal of support.
Good luck with getting pregnant!
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