Let’s Talk About Nursing While Pregnant
Pregnancy is an incredible journey, filled with a whirlwind of emotions—joy, anticipation, excitement, and even a touch of uncertainty. And it is completely normal to have questions about anything and everything.
One question heard quite often, especially from those who are already nursing, is if it is safe to breastfeed when you are expecting. Will it be okay for both your current baby and your growing little one? Let’s dive right in and learn more about what experts say about breastfeeding during pregnancy and what you should consider while on this journey.
Is Nursing While Pregnant Safe?
In short, the answer is “yes.” For most people, breastfeeding during pregnancy is perfectly safe. In fact, according to the La Leche League International (LLLI), the body is typically capable of supporting a nursing child, your developing baby, and your health (also important to consider) as long as you are eating well, staying hydrated, and taking care of yourself.
Of course, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Pregnancy can affect the body in many ways for different people. For instance, pregnancy hormones can totally change the composition and taste of your milk, which some breastfeeding babies and toddlers might not love. Also, milk supply may decrease during pregnancy, especially during the second trimester.
Potential Risks to Consider
Now, while nursing while pregnant is generally considered fairly safe, there are a few situations where a healthcare provider might advise against it. These situations can include:
- High-Risk Pregnancies: If you have a history of preterm labor, uterine pain, or bleeding, then breastfeeding during pregnancy might not be a viable option. This is because breastfeeding could potentially stimulate uterine contractions due to the release of oxytocin. And while this risk is usually low, it might be better to be safe than sorry.
- Nutrition Concerns: Breastfeeding takes a lot out of your body, as does pregnancy. Making sure you take in enough calories, vitamins, and minerals is key to supporting both your nursing child and the baby on the way. If you cannot do so well enough to keep up with both while staying healthy, it might be time to turn to another method.
- Severe Nausea or Fatigue: If morning sickness has you feeling like you’ve been hit by a truck, breastfeeding can seem like an extra load you just can’t, or don’t, want to deal with anymore. Many mothers choose to wean during pregnancy simply to conserve energy, and that’s perfectly okay, too!
Listening To Yourself
Our biggest advice when it comes to breastfeeding while pregnant? Listen to your body and reach out to your healthcare provider. If breastfeeding is feeling uncomfortable, stressful, or like it is taking too much of a toll on your mental or physical health, it might be time to think about weaning. On the other hand, if you and your nursling are happy and healthy, then there is no need to stop just because you are pregnant.
In the end, every family’s journey is unique, every pregnancy even more so, and there is no “right” answer when it comes to nursing while pregnant. Whether you keep nursing, wean, or plan to tandem nurse later, the decision is yours—and it should feel right for you and your family.
So, trust your instincts, lean on your support system, and remember that whatever path you choose, you’re absolutely crushing it, mama! If this article helped you or you think it could help someone in your life, leave a comment and share it with those you are close to!
Sources
- Flower, Hilary. (2018) Breastfeeding During Pregnancy and Tandem Nursing: Is It Safe? Retrieved from: https://llli.org/news/breastfeeding-during-pregnancy-and-tandem-nursing-is-it-safe/
- Healthy Children. (2009) Nursing During Pregnancy. Retrieved from: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/Pages/Nursing-During-Pregnancy.aspx
- American Pregnancy Association. Breastfeeding While Pregnant. Retrieved from: https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-while-pregnant/
- WIC. (2019) 338 Women Currently Breastfeeding. Retrieved from: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12495/338-Pregnant-Woman-Currently-Breastfeeding-PDF
