\Every mom is different. Some mothers prefer to have their children far apart from each other in terms of birth, while other mothers don’t. This all depends on their preference and what they know works best for them.
But if you’re one of the mothers who prefer a short age gap, you’re on the right page. When your baby finally reaches his or her 9th month, you might want to consider your next pregnancy. In this way, you can plan out the next steps, however, when you find out that you’re expecting again, you might have some questions.
Breastfeeding During Pregnancy
When you breastfeed during your pregnancy, you have to make sure that both your child and the developing fetus are safe. Here, we have compiled some tips for you, as well as some of the most asked questions during this part of motherhood.
Visit your healthcare provider
There’s no such thing as being “too cautious” when it comes to your babies, so it’s good to know everything you can before conceiving again. Normally, breastfeeding during pregnancy is safe. Although you might have some traces of pregnancy hormones in your milk, this is harmless when it comes to feeding your child. Additionally, during breastfeeding, your body will release hormones such as oxytocin. Oxytocin is a chemical that can cause some mild uterine contractions, and these contractions are very minor. However, they can also increase the chance of miscarriage, although this rarely happens. This is why your doctors are the best source of information and can give you specific advice that the internet may not be able to provide.
It’s also likely that your doctor will advise you to wean your child if:
- You have a high risk of miscarriage
- You are carrying twins or more
- You have been experiencing some bleeding or uterine pain
- You have been advised to avoid sexual intercourse during your pregnancy
After checking up with your healthcare provider, you might find it hard to decide whether you should continue breastfeeding during pregnancy. But keep in mind that whatever happens, you have done your job and it’s now important that you prepare your body for the next chapter of your motherhood.
Sit or lie down while you breastfeed
Pumping your breast milk requires energy, and it may be difficult for you to cope with an existing baby and another one on the way. When you breastfeed, make sure to stay seated or lie down in any spot where you feel relaxed. This will give you extra time to rest as you feed your baby. And while your pregnancy develops, you may need to change your nursing positions, so that it’s not only comfortable for you, but also for the little one.
Monitor your milk supply
For most moms, their milk supplies are likely to decrease between 4 to 5 months after giving birth. This is why it’s important to incorporate another form of nutrition into your baby’s diet. If your child is satisfied with breast milk feeding and seems to meet their ideal weight markers and growth, then there’s nothing else to worry about. Consulting your baby’s doctor or an experienced lactation consultant can be especially helpful at this stage.
Once you give birth to your new baby, it would be best if you consider giving him or her your colostrum (or early milk). Keeping that in mind, you might decide to nurse your newborn instead and restrain from feeding your older child any breast milk, as these first few days right after the baby’s birth are critical.
Consider your diet
If you think you’re not eating right or consuming the wrong foods then you might want to consider your diet as it can affect your pregnancy. Remember, maintaining good health for yourself also means good health for the baby. On the other hand, pregnancy and breastfeeding will consume a lot of your energy so make sure that you’re taking enough calories to maintain your overall health while supporting the growing baby inside you.
Keep in mind these simple tips:
- During your first trimester, it isn’t recommended for you to take extra calories. However, during your second and third trimester, it’s required.
- For your second trimester, you need to take up to 350 extra calories, and for you third, you need 450.
- For your breastfeeding child, you’re going to need 500 extra calories if your baby is eating other foods. You may need up to 650 extra calories until your child reaches his or her sixth month.
Breast care
Mothers who have sore nipples may feel uneasy when it comes to breastfeeding. This is especially noticeable when you’re both pregnant and breastfeeding. Nipple soreness and tenderness are common symptoms when you’re pregnant, and can cause such discomfort; you might find it unbearable when you’re feeding your baby. Although the discomfort doesn’t last long, you might want to consider investing in your breast care.
Now that you know a few tips for safely breastfeeding during your pregnancy, you might want to know the side effects as well.
Side effects of breastfeeding during pregnancy:
- feeling of uneasiness
- sore nipples
- fatigue
- mood swings
- a decrease in milk supply
- light contractions
- morning sickness
- changed taste of milk
If you want to learn more about the safety of breastfeeding during pregnancy read Is it Safe to Breastfeed While Pregnant? Tandem Nursing After Giving Birth
Frequently asked questions:
1. Will I run out of milk?
Absolutely not, your body will produce enough milk for both of your child and upcoming baby.
2. Is it safe to breastfeed even if I am pregnant?
Yes, but it’s still highly recommended for you to consult your doctor just in case you have a unique condition.
3. How do I look after myself?
You can do self-care by eating healthy and staying hydrated. Make sure that you are getting enough sleep. Taking any vitamins isn’t really recommended since your body will make its own adjustments.
4. How do I feed both of my children after birth?
You can feed them one at a time, you can also feed them at the same time, this is called tandem feeding. You may also limit your first child’s feeding since the newborn will need early milk more.
5. Can breastfeeding during pregnancy cause miscarriage?
Under normal conditions, it’s totally safe to breastfeed during pregnancy. But other mothers might have a risk of miscarriage if:
- You have a high risk for miscarriage
- You are carrying twins or more
- You have been experiencing some bleeding or uterine pain
- You have been advised to avoid sexual intercourse during your pregnancy
If you think that you might have a rare condition, or suffer from any of the above, it is best to visit your healthcare provider.
If you have any questions or need help of an expert, find an IBCLC near you.
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Helpful and informative! Thank you so much for this.