Attachment Parenting

did you limit breastfeeding while pregnant?

my 2.5 year old son is still nursing - not very often just for nap, sleep, and through the night (cosleep).

I am currently 15 weeks pregnant and it is just starting to get painful when he latches - but the pain subsides after he latches.

my ob is not a huge fan of breasdfeeding while pregnant, but she said while I do not need to stop, I need to limit it to about 2 times in a 24 hour period to prevent preterm labor.

There are some times when it is not often, but he will sometimes nurse many times at night if he is having a rough night.  Is it accurate that over a few times a day would be an issue?

Re: did you limit breastfeeding while pregnant?

  • My DD was only 10 months old when I became pregnant with DD2. I didn't limit breastfeeding at all. DD1 wasn't even eating much real food at that point, so she was nursing frequently and eating a lot of BM. I'd say at least 8 times in a 24 hour period, and prob like an hour sesh before bed.

    My OB saw nothing wrong with it and neither did the girls' pedi. I don't know your personal health history or circumstances, of course, but I did research the issue at the time. In a healthy average pregnancy, you do not need to worry about preterm labor or limit nursing. The only thing you should be concerned with is your own nutrition. Inside and outside baby will take what they need from you just fine, but your own nutritional needs may become deficient. So take your prenatal vitamin, stay hydrated and eat well.
    I got lots of good info on nursing while pregnant on Kellymom. Check it out. Happy and healthy pregnancy to you!
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  • Well, your OB is full of crap. There are no studies to suggest that 2 times in a 24 period is safe, but 3 is not. If s/he says it again, ask why. Ask on what basis that recommendation is being made. I'd bet $100 you'll get a vague "oh, my experience says...".

    I'm still nursing 3-4 x a day on work days, more on weekends. My doctor is fine with it as long as I eat enough to start gaining weight soon. If you're looking for accurate, science based information (and a lot of mother stories, too), get a copy of "Adventures in Tandem Breastfeeding". It's amazing and has so much to share about bfing in pregnancy and beyond.

  • I limit it, because it is painful and makes me want to rip my hair out.  I have no concerns for my fetus. DD is also taking the limits very much in stride, so it just works well for us. 

    PTL is very unlikely to be caused by nipple stimulation from nursing if you have an otherwise healthy pregnancy. It takes a LOT of nipple stimulation to bring on sustained contractions.   Provided you have no risk factors then just do what you are comfortable with.

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  • I've never heard of such a thing.  In general if you do not have a history of issues in pregnancy (and certainly not at 15 weeks!) there's no concern with nursing causing preterm labor.  On the other hand, it's totally find for you to set limits if you feel the need to for any reason.
  • I would love to see the study your OB bases that info on. Everything I've seen says that allegation is an OWT unless you have a known (rare) reason. Adventures in Tandem Nursing gives tons of info supporting this  Anyway, the only reason I restricted nursing during PG was because DS1 was nursing every 2 hours all through the night and I was exhausted and my nipples were sensitive. I decided to  gently steer him toward 4 hours between nursings at night.
  • I did night wean at the beginning of my pregnancy, so I fully support setting the limits you need to set to continue to enjoy your nursing relationship.

    I don't support baseless scare tactics from doctors. 

  • I nursed my son my whole pregnancy with Dd and I ended up going 10 days past my due date. I usually ended up nursing between 2 and 4 times a day. Towards the end I would get some contractions while nursing but they would stop pretty quickly after the session ended.
  • I did not until 35w when nursing started causing very strong contractions. Like timeable-I-ended-up-in-L&D contractions... DS was born at 38w on the dot. I never lost my milk and DD nursed again as soon as she came to visit in the hospital.
  • My son nursed until he was about 2.5 years old and I was into my second trimester (16-17 weeks or so). I didn't limit feedings, but he was only using once a day anyway. OB wanted me to stop, but I have a very supportive and well researched LC so I felt I had support for extended breastfeeding during pregnancy through her. I'd get someone who can provide that kind of reassurance.
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