Pregnant And Breastfeeding Support Thread

[Hannah's Mom]

Thanks, Vicky. I appreciate what you wrote, and I can always use a hug.

Thanks, too, Samuel's Mum.  Don't feel bad, I hadn't mentioned my pregn anywhere but here and the ttc while nursing board, so I just posted on those boards about the miscarriage.  I did briefly check out the miscarriage board, but didn't have time to write anything by that point.  And, yes, you're right, I shouldn't get too excited about possibly being pregn again.  Thanks for the hug as well! Hugs are always nice, aren't they?

Where else have you heard of women nursing during labor?  A girlfriend of mine, her mom's dr had her do breast compressions when her labor had stopped with her last child.  I just wonder how much the medical world has looked at it, what they all think about it. . . .  I am leaning toward weaning Hannah.  I get really tired with my pregnancies.  Even though she asks for "nana" all the time, I limit it to naps and bedtime when I'm in my right mind.  She was starting to nurse 3-4x some days, though, during this last preg because I'd just give in to her, and considering I don't eat very well when pregn, that's probably not a good thing for any of us.  If I did eat well, it wouldn't be an issue.  

I think I'll wait a couple more weeks, maybe wean her when the in-laws are here???  Is that a catastrophe waiting to happen?  I just felt like I should focus on finishing potty training her (we stopped it completely and put her back in diapers to get some sanity for all of us).  I pulled out stickers today since we're out of m&ms, and she was in heaven all morning!!!  Unfortunately, though, she did have her first accident at church today.  Oops!   She's never wet at church, even though she's worn undies there for at least a month and a half, and she's wanted undies instead of a diaper when we've gotten her dressed for church the past two weeks!  Poor kid!  Hopefully it will help, rather than hinder....

So, anyway, child-led weaning would be nice, but I think she'd nurse till she was in kindergarten if I did that.  How are you planning on weaning Samuel, or are you just letting him decide?  Have you ever discussed weaning with him?

[VickyB20]

I've also heard of women nursing during labour... but couldn't tell you where!!!  I suspect that in 'the olden days' when the process of birth was more home-based then it would only have been natural to feed an older child if (s)he wanted it during a labour.  It probably used to be very well known that nursing during labour could be helpful.

You really have got a lot on your plate at the moment.  My instinct is to say limit the number of changes you make at any one time but I think I only say that because that is what would work best for me.  But if Hannah is able to handle P/T and weaning at the same time, then you go girl! 

Also, with weaning, I had the attitude that unless I was absolutely sure, then I wouldn't change things.  I didn't want to regret a decision that I wouldn't have made if I'd waited a few more days IYKWIM.  So if there's no rush, giving it another couple of weeks sounds good.

Have you done a pregnancy test?  Really hoping for you...

V
xx

[Samuel's mum]

The 'nursing during labour' thing is - I doubt - going to be looked at much by the medical community as the official push is not to tandem feed (those who do are tolerated) and to medicalize/ hospitalize birth (those who don't are tolerated.) It's pretty widespread knowledge that nipple stimulation can stimulate contractions without the actual nursing.

I've seen actual nursing discussed in home birthing forums and I think it's mentioned in 'Adventures in Tandem Nursing'. I'll check.

I wouldn't PT and wean at the same time either. I agree with Vicky - no rush.
  for your testing.

[weeza]

Hiya ladies,

Sorry for the lack of reply - only just seen all your posts. I've been trying to wean myself off the BW website for a bit, not succeeding too well mind...

Thanks for all your advice. I'm not charting or anything like that, and DP and I are barely getting much erm... action for us to think about a second baby! Also I'm only 8 months into BFing my son so I was just thinking ahead really! It took us a few months to conceive our LO, which I know is quite normal, but it may have been affected by the fact that we were in different countries two months in a row around ovulation time! Maybe we are super fertile and just don't know it yet?! Maybe not. The old "tick tock" of course has its effect too - I'm about to turn 35 this year, when fertility famously takes a dive...

Hannah's mum. So sorry about your loss. Best of luck with the test.

[Mommymac]

This is a great thread since it can be such a taboo subject. I nursed for the first 2 months of my second pregnancy. Make sure you are taking pre-natals to avoid getting drained and drink LOTS of water. I had sore nipples from the hormones, but I was also weaning at that point to. You can nurse tandum if you like (up until baby arrives and then both kids...Laleche website has good info on this if you don't think its too weird)

[evelyn]

Just popping my head in!   Lily still feeding morning and night and I am 32 weeks now.  Sometimes she might only nurse for a minute other times she might settle in for a long one!  She is still cosleeping too (bw taboo!) so I am unsure as to whether things should change now before the birth or what to do??!!

[Samuel's mum]

evelyn I've PMed you

[IvaDahan]

Hi , I am new to the site, newly registered, been here before to read some help about sleeping problems, but mainly registered today while I found out that I am pregnant ( I think so ) .
I have two problems....
First - Would I love second child as much I love my first little boy ( can't express myselft from the love I have for him) and
Second: How I will manage to wean him from breastfeeding if I love it so much?

Thank you very much Iva

[Samuel's mum]

Iva - KNOW exactly what you mean. I think you just have to trust that nature (or God depending on your beliefs) is wise and you WILL love your baby as much as your first.
And your baby will be lucky to have number one as a sibling and he will benefit and grow from the love of his sibling.
I was so worried about my eldest that not wanting to be separated from him was one of my motivations for having a home birth!

Now baby is 4 months old and I am impressed everyday but what a natural love there is between them (haven't had a bad day yet - there are bound to come eventually!). Baby lights up when brother is near. When I pick brother up from preschool the first thing he does is kiss baby!

As for the weaning from breastfeeding - you don't have to if you don't want to. Check out:
http://www.kellymom.com/nursingtwo/faq/01safety.html
But if you want to wean it's certainly possible to do it gently and with love.
Start a new 'thread'. Hit 'new topic' on the main breastfeeding board and describe your situation and we can be a support team guiding you through your weaning process over the next few weeks - if that's what you want to do.

But first off - get tested. No point in worrying about what isn't certain. Hope you get the answer you want to.

[IvaDahan]

Thank you so much for you support. Yes, I am pregnant, did 3 tests, all positive, no doubt :-) So will have nearly christmas baby, my LO will be 21 months, hopefully he will be able to understand more and still love me.
I dont want to cut BF completly, I was hoping he will wean himseft alone, when my milk will start to change or I will just simply suffer due to hormone change and will not like him on the breast.
I stoped to BF him in the night, only feed him morning when I try to put him back to sleep ( still have huge problem with him waking up sometimes 4 times in the night and not able to settle himselft - nother thing we need to sort out before second baby arrive) , so usually he is BF around 5 - 5.30  and then again when he decide it is time to wake up completly ( between 6.00-6.30) today 7.20 :-) , and then I try not to feed him before morning naps, sometimes I feed him around 2.00 , and then before bedtime around 6.30 pm.

What I am worried if I continue, what it will do with my milk supply , what about colusturm ( when does it arrive) , what about engorgement, can I lose the baby if I continue BF , does my diet need to change ?
thank you again for help Iva

[Samuel's mum]

Milk supply does different things to different people. Generally supply starts to go and then tapers off considerably and then colostrum arrives in the second trimester. Engorgement happens after the baby is delivered in the same way - not during pregnancy. It's safe to nurse if you are also advised it is safe to have sex is the general guidelines (i.e. same mild uterine contractions may result). Diet doesn't need to change (other than the usual pregnancy stuff) just make sure you are eating 'good' calories and I would take a pregnancy supplement.
I really recommend you buy the book mentioned in the link I gave above - it will answer all your questions.

One more thing - don't hope for self-weaning as it may not happen. A lOT of toddlers do not wean themselves in pregnancy. If you don't think you can face feeding a newborn and your older child at the same time you need to wean your older child. The above book can help you think through your decision.

Congratulations and a hug!

[EllenS]

Hi, I just found out this weekend I am pg, still nursing my 14 month old, but have decided I need to take the lead on weaning (of course, I am hormonal so I could change my mind tomorrow).

We have been nursing 3x/day and usually 1x night, but lately it's been 2x.  The extra NW's are one of the reasons I want to wean - I've always had low supply.  The pain and nausea are also getting to me.  The cramps/contractions are very noticeable, too - and I should only be about 7 weeks along - is that a concern?

She's always had a formula topper at bedtime, and tonight was my first bedtime with no "mama milks", just bottle (except a couple of times when she had a sitter).  I kissed her so much, she got annoyed with me, and shoved my hand away where I was stroking her cheek while holding the bottle.  I guess that makes me feel better that SHE's okay emotionally with it so far.

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

Hey Ellen - congrats on the pregnancy!!  I found the cramping worse early on with my second child too - I was also nursing, but I honestly don't think that was the reason for it because I've heard the same for many women with a subsequent preg who AREN'T bf'ing.  Mine settled down after a couple of weeks, and I was still nursing.  Pain in nipples and low supply was why I ended up weaning at 18 months (I was about 3 months along)....sounds like you're doing really well with letting her take the lead.  I think it IS harder for us in many ways....  {{gentle hugs}}

[Samuel's mum]

That sounds really positive Ellen! Good stuff!!

Are cramps contractions during nursing - is that what you mean? If it's just generally - this is time when uterus is being to stretch and adjust and ligaments begin to feel the affects of relaxin.

[EllenS]

Yeah, during nursing