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Breastfeeding while pregnant

brittasbrittas member
in Breastfeeding
My doctor told me to wean by 20 weeks pregnant. DD will be 19 months when I reach this point, and I don't think she will be ready to wean. She is only nursing 1-2 times a day. She can go to bed without it and doesn't look for it all the time, but every now and then she wants her "mommy milk".  Since I am not even nursing that often, I feel that it wouldn't be that big of a deal if I don't wean her completely. But then again, I feel like I should listen to my doctor. I feel conflicted. Have any of you nursed throughout your pregnancy? What are your thoughts?
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Re: Breastfeeding while pregnant

  • vvvvvfeevvvvvfee member
    based on what i've read, nursing while pregnant has not been associated with harm to the mother, fetus, or nursling, assuming you are not at high risk of pre-term labor. while nursing may trigger the release of oxytocin, which can cause contractions, the uterus is not particularly sensitive to it until the baby is at term (38 weeks).

    here are a couple of articles with citations on the subject:

    Breastfeeding During Pregnancy- Common Concerns About Safety
    A New Look at the Safety of Breastfeeding During Pregnancy

    i think you can safely continue to nurse, and pursue a slow, gentle path towards weaning if that's what you want. i am currently nursing my 28-month-old and i am 12 weeks pregnant. i have cut him back to 2 short sessions per day, but i don't want to pressure him to stop before he's ready. i am hoping to slowly encourage him to wean, since i'm not particuarly interested in tandem nursing, but i think it's best for my body and for his well-being to do it as slowly and gently as possible.

    feel free to join us in the extended BFing check-in on tuesdays-- there are several nursing and pregnant moms that check in each week. GL!
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  • Mrs.AmyDylanMrs.AmyDylan member
    I'm part of a birthing center mamas group (I also had DD at the birthing center). There are several mamas tandem BFing.

    While I haven't tandem BFed two children, myself and my brother tandem BFed (we are 16mo apart). 

    As long as you don't have any pregnancy complications, I don't see the problem. Good luck!
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  • lilnessililnessi member
    I am in a similar boat except my DD is only 5 mths at the moment and i am currently 9 weeks pregnant. I wanted to BF until DD was at least a year and now i'm worried about continuing as well. My Dr said to wean as soon as possible but I really don't want to. 
    From what i have read it seems to be safe to continue to breastfeed throughout pregnancy and didn't have any issues with DD when pregnant with her. I think i am going to continue to BF for as long as i can so long as I can or as long as DD wants to (i heard they may self wean when we are at 5mths because the flavor of the milk may change).  We will see. Anyhow good luck!


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  • sschwegesschwege member
    Did your doctor give you a reason?  Unless you have some history you are leaving out, preterm labor or something, I don't know why weaning at 20w would be necessary.  I weaned DD at 10w and DS at 12w pregnant, but that was my own choice, if I had wanted to continue I would have had the full support of my MWs.
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  • nicnnatesmomnicnnatesmom member
    Still nursing my DS3 (17 months) and I'm 17+6 with baby #5. My doc did send me to a nutritionist/dietician who's also a certified LC (she's like the triple threat winner!) and we did go over meal planning and making sure I'm getting enough stuff for all of us. Basically push the protein and watch the carbs and push the veggies. Other then having me see the dietician lady my OB has zero concerns. And I have gestational diebetes for the third time. And have a history of preterm labor. She's never once mentioned weaning. Said I should be fine and just listen to my body. I'll know when it's time to wean.
    GL and I hope you keep nursing your LO!
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  • natsgirl12natsgirl12 member
    I'm 34 weeks pregnant and still nurse my oldest (she will be 3 at the end of the month). My OB said if I wasn't okay with tandem nursing I should wean her 3 months prior to delivery. But otherwise I could continue of I wanted. Also, my OB said that if my child hadn't self-weaned by my first appointment at 7 weeks, she probably wouldn't self-wean. No concerns expressed. Not sure why your doctor would tell you that you have to stop.

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