I am 4 weeks pregnant with my second child. My first child is 9 months old and breastfeeding. However, lately I have had a really hard time producing much milk (I breastfeed her about three times a day, then pump when she goes to bed to be able to give her a bottle for the next night's bedtime. She's also eating solids.). I'm having to get up in the middle of the night to pump a second time to get more than 2-3 ounces. I know that part of this is the gradual climb to weaning, but I am curious as to whether my pregnancy is causing my milk production to wane. Any thoughts? Have any of you breastfed while pregnant with another child?
I was preg with #2 at 6 months old for #1 and by the time my #1 was 10 months old my supply was gone. I just bottle fed him for 2 months and then switched to whole milk at his first birthday. He never missed it, never cared one way or the other as long as he was fed!
What you are pumping is not always a good indication of your milk supply.
It certainly could be decreasing, but is your 9 month old nursing less and/or eating more solids. Those could both encourage a natural decrease for your milk supply.
I've heard lots of my friends say they stopped nursing number 2 because of a milk supply issue while pregnant.
I nursed my son successfully while pregnant and now tandem nurse both he (2 1/2 years old) and his 7 month old brother.
I would encourage you continuing to nurse both for the benefit to your nursling and for the easier transition that tandem nursing provides. We certainly had some jealousy issues, but not many.
Consult a midwife or lactation consultant and see if you can take some supplements while pregnant that will help your milk supply....like Mother's Milk Tea, etc.
Good luck and congrats mama!
I got pregnant with my second when he was about 20 months. At that point I was just nursing at naptime and bedtime. I weened him out of the naptime nursing then stopped just after his 2nd birthday at bedtime. About 2 weeks before his second birthday i was beginning to get sore (nipples).
You can absolutely nurse while you're pregnant but the hormones could change the taste. Also if you begin to have any pain/contractions you'll need to stop nursing.
Congratulations on your expanding family!
Congratulations on the new baby and on nursing for as long as you can. Yes, it is definitely the pregnancy that is causing the milk production issues. Just continue doing what you can and I would recommend talking to a lactation consultant for advice on what to do for your 9 month old.
i had the same situation as you do... a little different but same. i found out i was 19 weeks pregnant with my second baby and i had been breastfedding my first baby through out these weeks when i found out my first was 9 months so i got pregnant around my my first baby 5th month b-day. i did notice my daughter didnt want to nurse cause i guess in some weird way the taste does change so in a way my daughter weaned herself but i did make an effort to wean her too.i wasnt gaining weight it was getting to hard for my body to consume calories for my baby to come and for producing breast milk so it kindda forced my to wean her. it was not as tough as i thought it would be it went great actually.i think if you can wean your baby and your up for it then go ahead it will make it easier for you and you will seem to enjoy having more energy to burn with your little one. anyways what you decide for you and your family is what is best for you guys! but congratulations and hope this helps if you have any questions feel free to ask.
enjoy your pregnancy and your little one!
Hi K.,
I'm not sure about the hormones having an effect on breastmilk production (I haven't researched it), but off the top of my head, I would think you need to just wean her that much faster. Your body needs all the vits and mins it can get, not just for the fetus right now, but for later in the pregnancy, and then for breastfeeding the second. I would shoot for weaning in the next few weeks; stop pumping at night, cut down to twice a day feedings, then next week go to one feeding per day. The week after that, only feed if/when you feel engorged. Also, supplement with formula starting now, if you're not already. If she's never had formula, try mixing it into her food to get her used to the taste. If you have to, pump a little to dilute the formula, but don't give extra feedings, as this will increase production.
Good luck with the weaning and with your pregancy!
J.
I have 3 children and one on the way, after my first was born I got pregnant when he was 6 months old and was able to breastfeed till he was about 9 months. My milk starts drying up when I'm about 4 months pregnant, but I did breastfeed until my milk was gone. I just had to stop nursing my 8 month old...
I have heard that pregnancy can cause your milk to dry up, and than I have read about women nursing all the way through. I hope your milk will hang in there for atleast three more months! Congratulations on the pregnancy! That is sooo exciting!!
