TTC and nursing - guilt?

SP0706

My son is 13 months old and still nurses about 6 times a day (only a full feeding for about 3-4 of these nursing sessions). We introduced whole milk a couple of weeks ago, and he is not into it.  I don't really want to try mixing it with breast milk because I stay at home and haven't pumped in months...I don't really feel like opening that door again, you know?

Anyway, I'm happy to nurse my son for as long as he would like including through a next pregnancy. My concern is that we are planning on TTC within the next month. I've had my period back for months, so I'm not really worried about a fertility issue. What I am worried about is losing my supply when I'm pregnant and not being able to meet his needs. 

 Anyone have any info on how this worked out for them...either that their supply kept going or their baby took to whole milk?  He eats solids fairly well (except veggies, hates them all for right now, ugg).  And he's had no growth issues - he's a pretty big boy.  I don't know; I just feel guilty thinking about him not having access to what he needs/wants.  

silkyhorse

My son was 13 months when I got pregnant with DD.  My son never did and STILL doesn't drink milk.  My supply definitely did drop when I got pg, but it didn't seem to bother my son.  We dropped down to nursing just before nap and bed at about 15 months and then I weaned at 17 months.  By that point, nursing was more for comfort than nutrients.  I did feel guilty, though!

hannafemme

I am in the same position. We stopped TTA as of yesterday and I am worried about supply if we get pregnant right away. I just read Adventures in Tandem Nursing, which I highly recommend. Studies actually showed that only about 26% of babies self wean during pregnancy and but over 50% total weaned during pregnancy. Much of the mother led weaning was due to discomfort/pain during nursing. 

My LO loves solids, but I would really like him to have BM for at least 18 months, so we will see what happens! 

AimeeL85

DS was 15 months when I became pregnant with LO #2.  I wanted him to self wean whenever he was ready and was willing to tandem nurse.  I did feel that my supply dropped throughout the pregnancy, but I also felt like he genuinely lost interest.  It could have been because my supply was diminishing, but I really didn't feel that was the reason, or at least not the whole reason.  He just self-weaned a couple weeks ago at 19 months.  It felt bittersweet, but I wouldn't say I felt guilty because it was such a smooth transition that he led himself.  I always encouraged him to nurse and never denied it, he was just ready.

I had started introducing cow's milk at 14 months when my freezer supply ran out. He didn't take to it right away but eventually did and now loves it.

SP0706

Thanks for the advice everyone! You've all made me feel a little better about him doing just fine if my supply does drop. I just couldn't stand to picture him feeling devastated about it, you know? In any case, I've been meaning to read that book and now is a good time!

ncbelle

I think that's a normal feeling - I felt the same when I got pregnant when Callum was about 16 months old.

We never did whole milk as a regular part of Callum's diet.  He asks for it sometimes and eats it on cereal but that's it.  He does eat lots of yogurt and cheese.  Whole milk isn't magic; just a convenient source of fat, calcium, and vit D - those can be had from other sources.  And any dairy products count towards the total needed (as does whatever BM he gets still).  You can also do coconut or almond milk if you want.

Most women will loose their supply at some point - mine was pretty gone by a few months in and C weaned just shy of his 2nd b'day.  Some kids will still want to nurse though if you wanted to continue even without having much milk.