Is It Okay to Continue Breastfeeding While Pregnant?
It’s definitely okay to continue breastfeeding while pregnant. I found out I was pregnant while my 9 month old was still nursing.
He was still so little and I had no desire to feed him formula, so I kept nursing. I didn’t even think about what it would do to the baby that I was carrying. I just knew I had a baby right now that needed to eat.
 Photo courtesy of Eulàlia Torras |
I’m guessing you’re in a similar situation.
Breastfeeding while pregnant.
Because you have a baby in your arms that needs to eat right now.
Our bodies are so amazing, because it already knows that this is a possibility.
That you could be pregnant and still feeding another baby. So it’s ready for this situation!
But there are some things that you need to know if you’re going to continue breastfeeding while pregnant:
• Take a calcium supplement, preferably organic. By taking calcium, you’re giving your body extra calcium in order to keep you, the baby inside of you and your nursing baby healthy. Taking a calcium supplement is not necessary, but it helps prevent you from getting osteoporosis in the future.
• Eat when you’re hungry and drink when you’re thirsty. I’m sure you already know this just by being pregnant, but you may be extra hungry and extra thirsty now. Don’t worry about gaining weight, your body needs that fuel in order to feed you guys. Pig out if you have to!
• Your nipples may become sore. My nipples never became sore when I was breastfeeding while pregnant, but I know some mothers whom nipples became very sensitive when they became pregnant. Just keep nursing, the sensitivity will go back to normal after a while.
• Your milk production may decrease a little. My milk production did decrease when I was pregnant, but I think mine had more to do with the fact that my baby started eating solids more and he was a thumb sucker. If you find that your milk is decreasing, nurse your baby more often, especially on his demand. This will let your body know that you need more milk.
• It will become frustrating at times. Your hormones are becoming out of wack. You’re extremely sensitive, sometimes you may not want anyone touching you. And then here your baby is, crying, because he’s hungry.
And of course you’ll get bigger, then it’ll be even more frustrating trying to position your baby to nurse with your belly sticking out.
Hang in there. I breastfed the whole nine months that I was pregnant. As you get bigger, you’ll eventually have to find a position that’s comfortable for you to nurse your baby in. Your baby will nurse regardless. They don’t care, as long as they’re close to you and receiving milk.
When I was in full term pregnancy, the cradle hold position wasn’t even an option anymore. You can try using the laying down position or football position. Usually I would just sit on the couch and stand my son up next to me or put him on his knees and let him bend down to nurse. It seemed to work for him.
And be careful about falling asleep while you’re pregnant and nursing. When I was pregnant, my son climbed on the couch where I was sleeping and stepped all over my stomach trying to nurse. I freaked completely out! I just knew my baby was going to come out deformed!
When I told my midwife about it, she was so calm, she said the baby inside would be okay because all the water surrounding him acts as a cushion. I was so relieved. I must’ve scared my son half to death when I freaked out that day, because he never climbed on my stomach while I was pregnant again!
And the baby did come out unharmed.
So go ahead and continue breastfeeding while pregnant. Feed your baby that’s already there with you. Your body will take care of the rest.
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