Either it is planned or you unexpectedly got pregnant, you might choose to breastfeed your baby while pregnant but have some doubts if it is safe or not. Generally, it is safe to breastfeed while pregnant as long as you have a healthy diet and drink plenty of water.
Your body will keep on producing milk for your baby while the baby inside your tummy still gets the nutrients it needs. Although breastfeeding can trigger contractions, they aren’t a concern if you don’t have a complicated pregnancy. You may want to consult your doctor especially if you had a miscarriage before or are at risk of pre-term labor prior to continuing breastfeeding.
Things you need to know if you decide to breastfeed while pregnant
It is important to talk to your doctor about your health and pregnancy history before breastfeeding while pregnant. There are some situations where your doctor may recommend for you to stop breastfeeding. Here are some of the reasons why:
- High-risk pregnancy
- You had a previous miscarriage
- You are carrying twins or more
- Had a history of premature labor
However, if you are not in any of these situations, your doctor may give you a green light to breastfeed while pregnant. Breastfeeding releases the hormone called oxytocin, the hormone of love and bond which can also cause contractions but is not dangerous if you have a healthy pregnancy.
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What to expect when breastfeeding while pregnant?
If you are pregnant while breastfeeding, you may expect some changes in your body and milk supply. Comfort can be one of the biggest concerns during pregnancy and may intensify when you breastfeed at the same time.
Here are some of the things you may expect when you breastfeed while pregnant:
- Nipple tenderness and nipple soreness – this is very common during pregnancy
- Nausea – may be triggered during let-down
- Fatigue – you will feel more tired than usual because your body needs to produce milk and at the same time the baby inside you gets the nutrients in your body too.
- Changes to the color and consistency of your milk – your baby will not mind this and continue to breastfeed
- Always feeling hungry – because of the two babies that depend on your body, you may always need to eat to replace the depleted nutrients in your body
Your body needs a lot of energy to produce milk and being pregnant with associated fatigue can impose a big discomfort on you. Thus you need to keep your body healthy by having a well-balanced diet and drinking plenty of water.
Breastfeeding positions you can try are:
- Football hold
- Lying down on your side
- Or you can experiment with your child whichever works best for the two of you.
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You may also need extra rest to make sure you can carry through both your pregnancy and breastfeeding. Childproofing your room can help you get the extra rest while your baby is playing.
Some women wean when they find out that they are pregnant with another child. But if you prefer to continue breastfeeding while pregnant, you just need to consult your doctor to learn the best option for you.
Breastfeeding is a unique journey for mom and baby. And if you could breastfeed your newborn together with your toddler, it’s up to you to do what you think is best for your family. If you decide to stop breastfeeding, it’s okay too. You do not have to feel guilty about it because that decision is yours to make.
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