To Wean or Not to Wean (To Get Pregnant)

I wouldn't wean. It's probably not a factor if your daughter is 19 months old. I got pregnant when my first was 14 months and nursed throughout my pregnancy and have been tandem nursing for over a year now! It sounds like you are ovulating so you may get pregnant very soon and if you wean you could regret it. She may wean herself when you start to make less milk as your pregnancy progresses. Or not as in my daughter. I'm guessing that if you got pregnant at 39 then it shouldn't be too different at 41.

Given that you are 41, and she is 19 months...if it ups your chances of conception, and you really want a second baby then it may just be time to wean. You have already went above and beyond, and although it is nice, if she is going to have a little sister or brother, you don't need a competition either. My friend nevver weaned her son while she was pregnant with her second (he was 2), well when baby came what a mess. He is almost 4 now and has just stopped night nursing (too old in my opinion, but that's just me). Anyways, go with your gut and good luck either way.

M.:

your child's nursing is not a factor in getting pregnant.

P., RLC, IBCLC
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions

Hmmm...maybe you should look into going to another doctor. Maybe the midwives could recommend a doc who wouldn't make you wean. My friend had a hard time getting pregnant the second time because she was still nursing. Her doctor (Sibul at Northwestern) had her reduce nursing on the days she was ovulating. She did stop nursing for a week or two, but then went back to it after that short span of not nursing. Her baby is now 5 months and she's happily nursing both kids. My doctor told me to stop nursing my 16 month old (at the time) because she said I would never get pregnant. I cut nursing down to two to three times a day and did get pregnant a few months later. I'm still nursing my now-23 month old and am not sure if I'll wean before the new baby is born. BTW, I'm going to be 39 this year, so am not at the prime of my fertility. It should be your choice, not your doctors' choices. You'll be surprised at how many MDs are ignorant about breastfeeding. You can also call your pediatrician to get referrals for breastfeeding-friendly endocrins and obstetricians. Good luck!!

I was still (and am still once a day) nursing my 2 year old when we got pregnant, finally, with #2. I had the same things happening - ovulating much later, and it felt as if my window was shorter. I think you just have to plan for trying for 3 days after you get your spike. You don't say for how long you have been trying, but it took us about 5 months and(The first time it took 1 month), however I am 32 and we were only nursing 2-3 times per day. Maybe if you could cut down the # of feedings, it might help? I didn't want to quit nursing either and I still nurse my girl - now 32 months, once at night. I don't understand WHY the docs won't help you, unless the medications and support are damaging to your 19 month old. There is no reason that they should choose when you stop nursing, regardless. Any chance of going to different docs who are more supportive? Best of luck to you...