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Attachment Parenting
Pregnant/nursing ... WWYD?
DD is 15 months old, and I'm 18 weeks pregnant. We're currently still nursing about four times a day (morning, two naps, night). I've had nipple soreness since about 6 weeks that has varied in intensity but right now is pretty painful, and about two weeks ago I stopped feeling a letdown. So, I'm not sure she's getting anything, and it's really uncomfortable for me. If I wasn't pregnant (and thus wasn't so sore), I would definitely keep nursing, but I'm not sure I want to tandem nurse, so I don't really know what to do.
H thinks she would be fine without it (and really, I agree ... it's more of a habit than something she asks for/demands). My biggest hold back is that she doesn't eat well rounded enough ... lots of fruit/yogurt, but generally tosses veggies/meat aside. If I stop nursing, will she get the nutrition she needs? Or maybe she's not even getting much anymore, since I can't feel the letdown. I know the milk changes to colostrum at some point in 2nd Tri.
Gah! I don't know what to do. Any thoughts/experiences/advice?
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Re: Pregnant/nursing ... WWYD?
DS is still nursing about the same, but I've started cutting back. In the mornings he wants to nurse, but if I say, "would you like to go downstairs and eat?" He'll sign "eat" and be fine with getting some breakfast. If I am putting him to sleep he wants to nurse most of the time, but DH can get him down fine without it.
My nipple sensitivity comes and goes (right now it hurts pretty bad), but I'm only uncomfortable when he first latches on, it stops hurting once he's nursing. I really don't think he's getting much of anything, and we're trying to gently cut back on nursing sessions since he is doing well without them.
As far as nutrition, DS can't have milk yet (it'll be coming up soon in challenges), but he drinks coconut milk, LOVES coconut milk yogurt, and he eats as much meat in one sitting as an adult. I feel ok that he's getting what he needs.
I too am dealing with a similar situation and would love any feedback... DD is now 18.5 months, I recently found out I'm about 8 weeks along. We had started to naturally wean to only nursing 3-4 times each day, mainly for sleep (naps and at night, as well as when she first wakes up in the morning) but lately she has reverted to demanding 'Ba-Ba" ALL THE TIME, often without specific reason. Nipple soreness is definitely starting, though I don't think she's having an issue with supply...
I have also been concerned with DD getting enough nutrients outside our nursing but have found if she's hungry enough, she'll make the effort to eat veggies, meat, etc. (of course they love the fruit and yogurt.. lol) I think the PP had a good point when she said she directs her son downstairs to eat when he's wanting to nurse in the AM and she's not on board- I know sometimes I can redirect DD if I am not feeling up to yet another session (soooo tired!)
I've already had several well meaning people tell me it's time to start weaning with this pregnancy in full effect, but I'm not sure I'm ready to totally cut it all out. Is it ok to keep nursing all throughout pregnancy or is it recommended to give it up at a certain point? I've not found a lot of information on the subject....
TYIA for any info....
@24hourbride- check out www.kellymom.com They have a section on nursing while pregnant. I am currently 29 weeks and DD will be 2 next Sunday. She still nurses twice a day. She is older than your LO and eats fairly well, now. In the beginning of the pregnancy, she was a very picky eater. I have no idea if she is getting any milk or just colostrum, but she continues to nurse happily.
PP- If you are wanting to wean, I would offer other things when your LO wants to nurse. Offer breakfast first thing in the morning, or a sippy with water (or whatever your LO likes to drink). I would also offer snacks and drinks after naps. Your LO may be nursing because she is thirsty or hungry. If she is nursing out of habit or for comfort, that is trickier. Have you introduced a lovey that you can offer for comfort?
I am with you on the nipple soreness. I have been sore almost the entire pregnancy. Sometimes it is just one side, sometimes just during latching, but sometimes the soreness lasts throughout the nursing session and/or is on both sides. Luckily, our nursing sessions are much shorter. I also haven't felt a letdown in awhile. I don't know if it is possible to produce colostrum and milk at the same time. I have seen colostrum on the right side, but saw some milk on my left side earlier this week. At least, I think I did. GL to you!
I had the same concerns when I got pregnant with #3. #2 was only 16 months and still nursing. I planned to tandem nurse once #3 was born, but unfortunately my milk dried up a few months into the pregnancy - #2 was 18 months old.
But the good thing is that it was a gradual wean for #2. Because my milk slowly dried up, he slowly dropped nursing sessions and started eating more solids on his own. There was never a problem with the weaning. One day he just stopped nursing because there wasn't any milk there.
I hope it goes as smoothly for you if you experience the same thing.
I would advise playing it by ear and doing whatever you think is right. LO is certainly old enough to wean. If it is painful to nurse, I would wean or cut out sessions as you see fit. She is able to get all the nutrition she needs from food at this point. All kids go through phases with food. If she doesn't like meat, maybe offer beans or other sources of protein if you are concerned about that. My thoughts are I will bf as long as it works for all of us (me, LO and inside baby). Once I hit 2nd tri, my milk decreased pretty rapidly and I would say we are weaning. I second the PP:
I haven't gotten to the stop nursing point yet, and I don't know if we will because DS loves to comfort nurse at times and I don't know if lack of milk bothers him then. But what we are doing for now works for us and I take it one day at a time. GL!i nursed through my pregnancy with my son and went on to tandem nurse for a couple of years, actually! i worked out great for us. i never had any discomfort, pain, concerns. it made the transition to having 2 children so seamless, i think...the bond between the 2 of them was clear from the moment i saw them hold hands while nursing!
good luck!