Breastfeeding while pregnant
Without endangering your toddler or your unborn kid, you can continue breastfeeding when you are expecting your second child. What you should know if you decide to breastfeed while pregnant is provided below.
Is it safe to breastfeed while pregnant?
For a variety of reasons, you could decide to continue nursing during your subsequent pregnancy. For instance, you might unintentionally become pregnant while your first child is still a newborn infant (even if your periods haven’t returned, you could become pregnant while nursing). Or perhaps you’re still not ready to wean your young child (weaning usually happens any time between birth and age 3).
Whatever the reason, breastfeeding while pregnant is typically completely safe. While your unborn child will receive all the nutrients they require from your body, your body will continue to produce enough milk to sustain your older child.
Mild contractions do occur when nursing. These are safe in straightforward pregnancies, but you should consult your doctor or midwife if you are at risk of premature labor, such as if you are expecting twins or more or if you have already experienced a miscarriage or preterm birth.
Looking after your first child
Your first child will continue to receive the nutrients they require from your breastfeeding. However, as your pregnancy goes on, you’ll probably start producing less milk. Additionally, as you begin to make colostrum, the composition of your milk may alter, and it may also change in flavor. Your older child may wean themselves at some point during your pregnancy as a result of these changes. Around the five-month milestone, this frequently occurs.
Due to the natural laxative properties of colostrum, your older child’s poop may be more liquid than usual. There is no cause for concern.
Keep a close eye on your older child if they are younger than a year old when you become pregnant to ensure that they are gaining enough weight after your milk changes. If they are still getting all of their nutrients from breastfeeding, you might need to introduce additional feeds. For advice, consult your maternal child health nurse.
How to look after yourself
It can hurt your breasts and nipples to breastfeed when pregnant. You might discover that you are much more exhausted or that your morning sickness is greater than it usually is during pregnancy.
Your hormones during pregnancy are to blame for these negative effects. Although they may go away after the first trimester, some women experience them throughout the entire pregnancy. Making ensuring your older child is securely attached or shifting your posture when breastfeeding may assist.
By eating right, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep, you can take care of yourself. Your body will become accustomed to producing breastmilk and feeding your unborn child at the same time, so you won’t need to take a lot of vitamin or mineral supplements.
After the baby is born
After the infant is born, you can continue feeding your older kid. It’s known as tandem feeding. Still, your baby will receive all the colostrum they require. Your older youngster doesn’t have to be confined to one side.
Tandem feeding can be done in a variety of ways. You could simultaneously feed both kids (you might need some cushions to prop you up or you might find it easier lying down). Alternately, you may feed your older child after the newbor
Due to the abundance of milk in your home, you could find that your older child wants to nurse constantly. You may choose to restrict their feeds. You might also discover that because you are making so much milk, your infant is having problems adjusting to your let down response. You might try feeding your elder child first, then after the milk has begun to flow, placing the infant on the opposite breast.
How to wean your older child
If you decide to wean your older child, it’s a good idea to do this while you’re still pregnant so they don’t have to cope with so many adjustments after the baby is born.
If you would like to encourage your older child to wean while you are pregnant, you could try weaning them slowly by delaying feeds or encouraging shorter feeds. If your child is old enough, explain to them that your breasts feel sore.
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