You had a baby a few months ago and are still breastfeeding. Then you find out another baby is on the way. And then come the doubts: can I breastfeed during pregnancy? Or should I wean to avoid interfering with the pregnancy? This is a very common question among moms, and we’re here to clarify this point.
There is absolutely no contraindication to breastfeeding while pregnant. However, because the hormones are fully focused on the development of the fetus, your milk tends to decrease considerably, and it may no longer be sufficient to feed the older baby. Especially if the child is already eating purees, fruits, or solid foods, breast milk will be more of a maternal comfort than an actual food source.
At the beginning of prenatal care, it is advisable for the pregnant woman to inform her gynecologist that she is still breastfeeding, because during pregnancy a woman already needs special nutrition for the best development of the fetus and to produce milk for breastfeeding. Therefore, nutrition must be doubled to meet the needs of both1.
Another common occurrence is that pregnant women who breastfeed may experience cramping due to uterine contractions triggered by breastfeeding and sucking. But these cramps are not harmful to fetal development, so don’t panic thinking you’re going to miscarry; it is a normal symptom in these cases. However, if other symptoms appear, such as bleeding or more severe pain, then a doctor should be consulted immediately.
It is also common in these cases for the child to wean on their own, as it is believed that due to increased hormone levels during pregnancy, the taste of the milk is altered, causing the child to naturally lose interest in breastfeeding.
Pros and cons of breastfeeding during pregnancy
There are pros and cons to breastfeeding one child while pregnant with another. Who will know what the best decision is, after analyzing the facts, is the woman herself2. Breastfeeding is recommended until the age of 2 years, but will the woman be able to handle the exhausting marathon of being pregnant and breastfeeding another child? And when the new baby is born, will she be able to breastfeed both?
There’s the issue of nutrition, which we touched on briefly above. If the woman already has issues with diet and low nutrients, it is not advisable to attempt this marathon. After all, if she already has malnutrition problems, how can she nourish and develop a fetus while also making strong milk for the breastfeeding baby?
But if the woman is able to eat healthily, with all the nutrients necessary and sufficient for the good development of the fetus and still produce milk rich in nutrients, why not? Breastfeeding is always a wonderful act, a moment of connection between mother and child, and if you are willing to face not only the responsibility of nourishing yourself properly but also overcoming the physical demands and tiredness, go for it! Or rather, baby at the breast!
We also can’t forget about the usual and natural jealousy between siblings. When the baby is born and you breastfeed them, how will the older one react? Will sharing the breast and the jealousy cause too much strain? And the desire to breastfeed the newborn as you did with the first, giving the necessary attention and care, will you be able to make the older one wait while the baby nurses first?
If even after asking yourself all these questions your answer is still yes, then continue breastfeeding your older child. You can do so calmly until the day of birth and resume as soon as you return from the maternity ward. Remember that your diet should be varied with foods rich in nutrients to improve the quality of your milk and provide the necessary vitamins for a healthy fetal development.
During breastfeeding women lose weight easily, which should be monitored during pregnancy to prevent excessive weight loss. Therefore, your obstetrician should pay even closer attention to your weight gain and gestational progress3. Include in your diet foods such as fruits, vegetables, cereals, red meat, and fish, which will provide the necessary vitamins.
See also: Position for Breastfeeding – Feeding with Love and Pleasure
Photo: UNICEF Ukraine, Hobo Mama
