Forum Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding during pregnancy

20 replies · page 1 of 2

Dok
Hi hi,

I'm currently almost 5 weeks pregnant with our 3rd child (completely unexpected, I'm still in shock! ).
My youngest just turned 1 year old and I'm still breastfeeding him. (on average 4 times a day. In the morning, at lunch, before bed, and around 3 o'clock, or sometimes a few sips during the night)

What is your experience with breastfeeding during pregnancy? I'm afraid that because of all the hormones and changes, I will have to/stop breastfeeding. We are enjoying it so much right now and my youngest really still has a strong need for it. He often already knows what time it is. If he gets the chance, he's happy to pull my shirt down which I then don't allow, because I find that terrible .. Anyway: I see him enjoy it and really recharge. Relaxing. Literally little refueling moments.

I'm looking for experience stories with this so I can possibly prepare myself for a possible weaning process in the coming months ...

Replies

Page 1 of 2

  1. Amy #2

    I stopped breastfeeding when I got pregnant. I breastfed for 1.5 years. I think either the taste changed or there was much less milk because my little one didn't want to drink anymore. At that point, he only had breast milk in the morning. So weaning went smoothly.

  2. Vivian #3

    How long do you normally breastfeed, for example?

  3. Dok started this #4

    What do you mean by Vivian? "How long do you usually, say, nurse?"

    How long I planned to? Or how long the sessions last? Anyway, I was planning to keep doing the morning and evening nursing sessions until around age 2. During the day, I wanted to gradually wean over the next six months. Training to also satisfy him with falls or comfort moments in other ways than at the breast.

    Amy: I'm a bit 'afraid' of that too. That it's going to change so much and stuff. And that my son will refuse because of it. On the other hand: if it happens, it happens. Nothing you can do about it, of course. But I'd think it's a pity if it did..

  4. Amy #5

    I totally get that feeling, Dok. I was also struggling with it for a while, wondering when it was time to stop. It was just one feed, but it’s still such a lovely moment.

    But my son started eating everything from the pot from age 1 onwards, so the need was gone. He gets and still gets tea with milk. He loves it so much. It’s almost like breastfeeding.

    I do notice that because of the pregnancy, I have very sensitive nipples now, so I think it’s better that he doesn’t want to drink anymore.

    Vivian, how long you breastfeed depends on yourself. According to the latest feeding guidelines, you can start giving cow’s milk around age 1. So in that way, they get their nutrients from food besides their bread, fruit, and dinner. That’s why I wanted to keep breastfeeding until that point so I wouldn’t have to give formula.

    If you’re bottle-feeding, they often switch to regular milk during that period too.

    But it’s really a personal choice how long you continue breastfeeding.

  5. Vivian #6

    That sounds really special to do! Glad it's going well for you too; you read a lot of other stories too!

  6. hartje #7

    Hi Dok,

    I’d just keep nursing until your little one doesn’t want to anymore. I know more moms who were already pregnant with the next baby while still breastfeeding their 1-year-old. After that, the new baby naturally took precedence, and the older sibling only got very little then. I nursed my oldest daughter until she was 15 months old; she’s now 3.5, and I have a little one who’s 3 months old. I stopped myself because I felt they were getting too old, and gradually the feeding decreased. First in the mornings and evenings. The following week, only in the evenings, and then every other day, and then it was done. After 2 months, I sometimes still saw some milk when I was under the shower, and then I tried once more if she still wanted it, but she didn’t even take a sip, so it was over for good. I’d like to keep it going for about as long this time, just because it’s healthy and especially very nice! Do what feels right for you..

  7. Vivian #8

    Up to what age did you give it then?

  8. Dok started this #9

    I'm noticing that my nipples are a bit more sensitive when he latches on. With pumping, the output is lower than usual, but when he's nursing directly, it's going fine.

    I'll see how long it lasts.. My (still) youngest really isn't ready to stop completely yet. Would feel such a shame to stop now!

  9. Amy #10

    I’d keep going as long as it works. As long as your little guy is still happily drinking, there’s clearly enough. Maybe you’ll be tandem feeding in a few months.
    My little one occasionally still wants a drink. I just tell him it’s all gone, and he’s fine with that. But I’m curious what he’ll do when his sister is born. Will he still think, “Yay! The milk factory is open again!”

  10. Dok started this #11

    Hihi... The milk factory is open again

  11. Vivian #12

    How old are the little ones?

  12. L. Guest #13

    I’m also breastfeeding and really want to get pregnant again. My daughter is 7 months old now. I hope I can keep breastfeeding her until the new baby is born, even if it’s just once a day. And after that, I’m open to breastfeeding both of them.
    But I’m just not getting my period... let alone getting pregnant...

    I’m curious to hear your findings, Doc! How the combination of pregnancy and breastfeeding will go!

  13. Dok started this #14

    My youngest is now 14 months old. He still gets breast milk on average 3 to 4 times a day (breakfast, lunch, before bed) and on average 3 to 4 times a week once during the night.

    I notice that my nipples are really more sensitive than usual. But otherwise, my milk supply hasn't started to decrease yet. We are now 12 weeks pregnant. I haven't noticed any difference in my youngest regarding taste or anything like that

    L. (guest) I only got my period again after 10 months and found out at 12 months that I was pregnant (again), despite using contraception (condom)! We have no idea what happened; we always check everything. Whether it was still intact and all that. Apparently, a tiny hole was enough.... I hope for you that you can menstruate again relatively soon! In the meantime, I would advise you not to stop breastfeeding so that you hope it will kick in faster. That's not really said, though, and it would be a pity to miss out on this special period with your current baby. It will happen!

  14. Vivian #15

    Did you really check after sex, dude?

  15. Dok started this #16

    Uuuh yeah. I don't think it's that weird. You've gotta get it off at least once. And if you do that, you can immediately see if it was broken?

    Or are there guys who throw away and clean the condom with their eyes closed??

  16. Vivian #17

    We didn't use condoms very often, but when we did, he'd throw it in a bag and then toss it away. I don't think he even cleaned it.

  17. hartje #18

    But you do notice it when it drips or leaks or something. At least, we do it that way and keep an eye out for it.

  18. Dok started this #19

    Neeee. Not cleaning the condom himself! Whahahahah.. I meant checking if he's leaking and/or if there's still 'filling' in it, before it ends up in the trash..

  19. Vivian #20

    Hihi, that's what you mean!

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