"You MUST stop BFing before the 2nd tri..."

2u22012 · April 2012

That's what the NP told me today at our first prenatal appt. I'm 6 weeks pg, and have an almost 8 month old son.

Suck-fest.

I don't really intend to listen, and am going to look into getting a midwife and having a home birth most likely, but any successful nursing through pregnancy and beyond stories would be really awesome for me to hear today. I am feeling pretty sick about the lack of support (and from what I can tell, lack of knowledge) from my care providers.

I had zero pregnancy restrictions with my son and he came fast and right on time with absolutely no complications, all while under the care of these same doctors/NP's/MW's who are now saying I can't BF while pregnant.

Thanks in advance.

3003girl · April 2012

Did they give you a reason? Perhaps taking in some literature from Le Leche League or something would help.

I only have one LO, but when I went for my annual checkup my NP gave me an unsolicited lecture (we aren't even TTC) about how I was still breastfeeding (at one year! gasp!) and how if I wanted to get pregnant I would have to stop because "my body couldn't handle breastfeeding and nursing at the same time." I just said, "funny, I've never heard that before and have lots of friends who tandem nurse." She didn't say anything.

Good luck! There are a number of mamma's who tandem nurse on this board that will hopefully chime in. You might want to try the natural birth board or breastfeeding board too.

Bride2b2004 · April 2012

DS2 was 10 months old when I became pg with #3. My NP told me the same thing. I did my research and ignored it. Total lack of updated knowledge.

tokenhoser · April 2012

"Adventures in Tandem Nursing" is the bible of breastfeeding in pregnancy and with 2 kids. It's a great read that supports a variety of decisions. If you still have milk and you still want to breastfeed, you should. Just be sure to eat a TON to support both the pregnancy and the milk.

Some women do lose their supply because of the hormones. If this happens, it happens and not much can be done.

danienross · April 2012

I am just over 14wks pregnant and still nursing my almost 18mos old. My OB was okay with it. I've switched to a home birth midwife and my midwife is also okay with it. The only person who gave me any grief was our pedi but she'd been pushing for me to wean DD since she turned a year old. We have our first well check with our new pedi this month and I already know she's okay with me being PG and BFing. I'd say do your research and follow your gut. My supply has taken a hit but I'm still producing milk and DD is showing zero signs that weaning is coming.

Kat_Bride · April 2012

I'm still nursing my 16 month old, and am 11 weeks now. I hope to continue, but I do worry about nursing causing contractions in the late 2nd or 3rd trimester. I might try to wean him then, even though I don't want to. Just nervous about it causing contractions.

pixieprincss · April 2012

Ditto to reading Adventures in Tandem Nursing. It talks specifically about the safety of nursing while PG. Essentially, unless you have exceptionally poor nutrition (as in starving) or are experiencing an actual problem, it is fine. (Though, as PP mentioned, you may want to eat large and healthy diet.) I am 24 weeks tomorrow and we are still going! My nipples are sensitive, so I often cut sessions short, but other than that we have no problems. DS was sick and teething last week and I was SO glad to be nursing him. It was so comforting to him!

2u22012 · April 2012

Thanks for the replies!

She told me, "Breastfeeding releases oxytocin, which can stimulate contractions and bring on preterm labor." That was her reason. I told her, "so does sex, or nipple stimulation during sex...neither of which you restricted at all while I was pregnant before...that makes no sense."

She went on to say this is always their recommendation, no matter what.

Then she said, "Ooh, I know it's hard...new mamas who are pregnant again so soon don't like to hear that they have to stop breastfeeding...it'll be okay."

I told her I didn't see any reason I should have to stop, and she basically cut me short by saying that I was obviously going to do whatever I wanted to anyway, but they couldn't support it. That's when she said, "it's especially important you stop before you get to the second tri."

I have to admit I was thinking she might say THIRD tri, at least?!...

I see a midwife there next time. I'm hopeful she'll have more sense about the whole thing.

I just bought the book on Amazon. Thank you so much, I really appreciate it.

admico821 · April 2012

I'm confused why pedis recommend to stop BF at one year? I know the AAP says to BF at least to a year so I don't see why they would think its bad to go beyond??

tokenhoser · April 2012

If they can't support your (supported by numerous well crafted studies) decision, you could try to find better educated providers, or you can do what many many many moms have done and just continue nursing and stop talking about it. It's a shame when people that are supposed to be educated choose not to be.

InfinityDreamer · April 2012

I'm currently 24 weeks pregnant and still nursing my 18 month old quite frequently. Baby is doing just fine and I've had no supply issues. I've nursed during most of my prenatal visits so I imagine my midwife would have mentioned any issues. Oxytocin is not a bad thing for a normal pregnancy, having your uterus contract strengthens it which makes labor more effective.

KateLouise · April 2012

i nursed dd1 until 21 months when i was around 7mths pregnant.

we weaned because she wanted to. apparently the taste of your milk can change so maybe that happened to us.

my mw was fully supportive of us bf as long as we wanted and had tandem bf herself.

danienross · April 2012

admico821:
I'm confused why pedis recommend to stop BF at one year? I know the AAP says to BF at least to a year so I don't see why they would think its bad to go beyond??

Our pedi said there was no point to continue past one year and that most babies wean by 15mos anyway so I should just get it started. At her 15mos appointment when we were still going strong she tried pushing it again saying that my daughter would be a milkaholic if I didn't start cutting sessions. She has also been blaming my daughter's borderline low iron levels on me nursing her. Needless to say we found a new pedi.

penguinem · April 2012

I nursed DD for 26 months. I was around 13 or 14 weeks when she weaned, I think. She said, and I quote, "actually the mommy milk tastes kind of bad now." I say that bc if you find your younger LO protesting maybe this is what she's thinking. I considered tandem nursing but decided it wasn't for me. My OB encouraged weaning becuase she was concerned about my health and caloric intake. However, I was wheat, dairy, and nut free for LO's allergies. This is the main reason I made the decision to wean, and then DD made it easy with her opinions!

kami1977 · April 2012

I'm still nursing my 24month old and I'm 34 weeks pregnant. I told my doctor when I first went in, but haven't brought it up since with her. I'm not having any issues and why stir the pot. Since my milk's changed to colustrum already and DS still wants to nurse I'm assuming we'll be tandem nursing when dd gets here. By the way I've had a few contractions/ BHs while nursing but never consistent or timetable. Mostly just one or two a session since 3rd tri.

Still free to be me · April 2012

At my initial appointment, my OB was a bit surprised (although she hid it the best she could) that I was nursing my 28 month old. However, she was supportive and told me that there are no concerns about me continuing to nurse through my pregnancy. She added that she "even has patients that continue to nurse both children after the baby is born and that's just fine if I choose to do so."

A week later, a close friend of mine (who is a La Leche League leader) went to her initial appointment at the same clinic, but saw the midwife who works with my OB. She was told that it isn't safe to breastfeed during pregnancy...but after my friend shared some information (basically saying, "You are wrong.") the midwife admitted that he wasn't as up-to-date on his breastfeeding information and he would research it further.

I'm now well into 3rd trimester and still BFing DD, although we are down to just a couple minutes a day. My belly tightens up a bit and the baby usually kicks and moves around a little when DD is nursing, but I haven't felt anything that concerns me.

seanandcallie · April 2012

I nursed Ella Grace the entire time I was pregnant, even when on bedrest. My doctors said that even if it caused contractions (occasionally it did), so long as I stopped when the contractions hinted at starting it was fine. I carried Hazel Anne to 38 weeks 1 day.