Yesterday, I wrote substantially on all the studies, surveys and research that talk about whether or not you are able to breastfeed while you’re pregnant. In fairness, I did also want to bring out some of the potentially negative aspects about breastfeeding while pregnant.
Thinking About Your Needs
No doubt about it, it takes a lot of energy to be pregnant and it takes a lot of energy to breastfeed. We have already talked about how if you eat when you’re hungry and drink when you’re thirsty there’s no reason to think that you wouldn’t be able to breastfeed while you’re pregnant–nutritionally speaking. However, some women find the demands of their nursing baby to simply exacerbate their pregnancy fatigue. In addition, nipples often get extra tender during pregnancy. Some women find nursing while pregnant unbearable for this reason. Consequently, (and understandably) they wean. Of course we can’t forget about morning sickness either. Some women who experience serious bouts of morning sickness and similar pregnancy symptoms simply can’t stand to nurse anymore.
When you’re considering whether or not you’ll wean during the pregnancy, how you’re feeling is an important factor to consider. If you’re feeling miserable and nursing makes it ten fold–that could be a good reason to wean.
Thinking About Your Baby In Utero
We love to think that our little bundles will come out happy and easy but as many of us know–that’s not always the case. Tandem nursing is a great experience for your toddler and your newborn in so many ways. However, you might want to reconsider if you have a colicky newborn or one who is simply difficult to manage. Meeting the demands of both a newborn baby and a toddler demands balance. Be open to the possibility that the nursing relationship might end due to the needs of your newborn.
Whether or not to continue nursing during pregnancy is a personal decision and each mom needs to come to the best conclusion for her and her family.
Related Articles:
Breastfeeding While Pregnant: Will Your Infant Suffer?
Can You Breastfeed While Pregnant?
5 Reasons Why You Might Breastfeed a Toddler and an Infant
Valorie Delp shares recipes and kitchen tips in the food blog, solves breastfeeding problems, shares parenting tips, and current research in the baby blog, and insight, resources and ideas as a regular guest blogger in the homeschooling blog. To read more articles by Valorie Delp, click here.
Are you subscribed to the Families.com Baby Blog? With the click of a button, you can receive an email notification anytime a new blog is posted in the Families.com Baby Blog! Just look to the right of this blog and find the subscription center (it looks just like this picture). Click on “Subscribe via Email”. You’ll be instantly subscribed and the email address that you registered at Families.com with will receive an instant notification whenever we post a new Baby Blog! Don’t miss a thing – subscribe now!