Anyone nurse #1 while pregnant with #2?

BabyM2010

Hi Ladies!

 I had my son just 9 months ago, and I'm currently 6 weeks pregnant. Up until a week ago, I was able to pump enough to send with him to daycare. But since, my supply has completely tanked. I am lucky to get 2 ounces in an entire day. My freezer stash is now just 12 ounces, so sometime this week, he'll run out.

 Did any of you make it through the entire first year with your #1, while pregnant with #2? If so, how did you keep up?

 Thanks so much for any help!

-Carrie

Jilybean17

I ended up weaning DS shortly after I got pregnant with DD because of supply issues. Some people experience supply problems after getting pregnant and some don't. Check kellymom.com for more info on it. I think there are some other ladies on here that have done it so hopefully you will get some responses. GL!

CaitlinJ22

I got my BFP a few days short of DS's 10 month bday....I nursed him until 13 months. It was hard. when I got my BFP he was nursing about 6 times in 24 hours, by 11 months he was down to 4 times, by 12 months he was down to 2 times and 1 time by 13 months. I would try and up your pumping a bit to try and trick your body. Maybe a power pumping session would help--10 mins on and off for 60 mins. You may get an increase again after your body adjusts to the hormones somewhat. 

Drink a TON of water and eat good, healthy food, oatmeal may help. You seriously have to eat an extra 500 calories a day to nurse while pg, and drink like 2 liters a day.  

GL! 

MelandRich07

I found out I was pregnant with # 2 when DS was 9 months.  I ntoiced right away that I wasn't pumping as much during the day, so my supply definitely took a dip.  Do you have a freezer stash that could help? Did your OB give you any recommendations? Mine was okay with me continuing at the first visit and then I continued to lose weight for each of the next three visits and at each one, they hinted that they wanted me to start weaning. Good luck!

maramarrie

I got pg with DD when DS was 11 months. I continued nursing him until 15 months when I was 19 weeks pg. I didn't experience problems with my supply until I was a couple weeks into the 2nd tri. I noticed he wasn't getting as much and that it had changed taste; I think it got salty. He weaned himself as a result of the changes.

trinny

I had a pretty similar experience as you and ended up weaning since my DD wasn't getting enough.  We made it until about 10.5 months (11w pg) and then switched to formula.  It was sad to do it, but I knew I couldn't keep up with her nutritional needs. 

Bride2b2004

Just drink as much water as you possibly can, maybe eat oatmeal (that helped my supply in the past).  My goal was to bf until DS turned 1 and we made it, but there was a distinct drop in supply when I hit the second tri.  Now, I feel like there isn't any milk at all, but he still really likes to nurse (we typically nurse before naps and in the evening when he is fussy but not ready for bed yet).  I think he gets all his needs from food, so I am not concerned about the lack of breastmilk at this point.

hillbillysunshine

I did but barely.  My supply also tanked (went from pumping 8-12 ozs/day to 2-4 ozs per day).  Luckily, DD was 11 months and we had over 100 ozs of frozen BM.  So between still nursing morning and night, the freezer stash and starting to mix in cow's milk (ped's recommendation) in her bottles while I was at work, we made it.

Try upping your calories and water if you haven't done so yet.  Also, you may check with your ped.  You may have to supplement with formula (mix formula with BM).  Good luck.

BrittKav

I nursed throughout my pregnancy and now I'm nursing both girls.

I got my BFP when DD was 6 months. Luckily my supply stayed up just enough to keep her going until she was 1 year without needing formula, and then it tanked majorly. I still kept up though because I wanted her to have the benefits of nursing past a year and thought tandem nursing might help the girls bond. It worked out really well for us, but it was very hard and stressful at the time. There isn't a whole lot you can do to keep your supply up, but make sure you eat and drink TONS, lots of oatmeal, and there's an herbal supplement called More Milk Two that is safe to use during pregnancy. It's really nasty tasting and a bit pricey, and I didn't notice much of a difference when I used it...but it's worth a try.

Qmommy

I found out I was pregnant when my DD was just shy of 10 months.  I'm still nursing her (she's 14 months) but in the last few weeks I have noticed a huge decrease in my supply.  I don't pump so maybe that's why I was able to keep my supply up for a longer period.  

I don't see my DD wanting to wean anytime soon so I started reading Adventures in Tandem Nursing.  It talks about nursing while pregnant and beyond.  I highly recommend reading it as well as doing what others have suggested (lots of water).

BabyM2010

Thanks for the help and for sharing your stories, mamas! It's encouraging to hear both sides- moms who had enough to just make it through their chiid's first year, and moms who had no choice but to supplement. I used my last frozen bag today, but I was able to pump 6 ounces between yesterday and today... just enough for daycare tomorrow. I'm thankful that he seems to be satisfied in the mornings, when I first get home, and at night, so if I have to give him formula just at daycare, so be it. I need to accept that formula doesn't mean failure, and just be thankful that he's perfectly healthy and my body healthy enough to give him a little brother or sister. Sometimes (I'm sure you understand), I can get so wrapped up not being able to do "the best" thing is that I don't recognize all of the other wonderful things that are going so well.

 Have a great night with your babies!

yourmomwreckedmybike

i am currently nursing #1 while pregnant with #2. havent noticed  a big change in  supply. i try to eat enough and drink enough water.