Breastfeeding And Pregnancy

You have just adapted to breastfeeding and realize that you are pregnant again. You will probably have a lot of questions at this point. Is it safe to breastfeed while pregnant? Will breastfeeding affect the growth of the unborn baby? Will you have enough milk for your older child? And is it even possible to breastfeed both children at once? ...

Your new pregnancy is a very special period. You will now feel more confident in your role as a mother. The body went through the birth process and continued to feed the baby, fulfilling its natural reproductive role. You may still not be sure how you will handle the care of both children, whether you will be able to share your love equally between them, and how you will cope with breastfeeding afterwards. Don't worry, these are normal thoughts of any mother who is expecting her next child.

For the baby growing inside you and for the baby you already have, of course, breast milk is the best food that can be offered. Even if the infant's diet decreases over time, the immunological benefits are still very valuable.

Sometimes mothers decide to wean their children during pregnancy (you may find breastfeeding uncomfortable because the breasts change during this period), but some strongly prefer to continue, especially if the baby is still small and the pregnancy is unexpected.

Then the question often comes, "What will happen to the unborn child?"

Because you are breastfeeding, it is normal to be concerned about the viability of the expected baby. In a normal, healthy pregnancy, with no previous abortions in the first 20 weeks or premature births after the 20th week, there is no evidence to suggest that breastfeeding threatens the pregnancy.

You may be worried about the amount of food you are eating and think that you will not be able to feed the baby growing inside you and produce enough milk for your newborn baby. But our bodies are amazing and know exactly what to do. Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet - eat when you are hungry and drink when you are thirsty - that's all you need.

Can I breastfeed safely while pregnant?

Breastfeeding during pregnancy is completely safe. As long as you eat a complete and healthy diet, your unborn baby will not be deprived of nutrients.

Even if you suffer from morning sickness and have difficulty eating, your body will naturally use all the accumulated nutrients to prevent the baby from lacking them.

However, in order for the pregnancy to proceed normally and for you to have enough breast milk, you really need to eat well. Depending on the age of your baby, you will need extra calories per day - about 650 if the child is under 6 months and about 500 if he is already fed and eats other foods. In addition to the above calories, you will need another 350 calories per day in the second trimester of pregnancy and 450 calories per day in the third trimester.

If you find it difficult to eat in the first trimester due to nausea, you will be relieved as no extra calories are needed during this period.

What changes are happening and what concerns you may have:

• increased sensitivity of the nipples;
• reduced milk production;
• change in the taste of milk.

You may be worried, as nipple stimulation during breastfeeding can cause uterine contractions. This is due to the hormone oxytocin (stimulating childbirth), which is released during breastfeeding. However, contractions do not pose a risk to the unborn baby and in most cases do not increase the risk of miscarriage or premature birth, as the amount of oxytocin released is usually not enough to cause the cervix to dissolve and cause birth. You may have a few slight contractions from time to time, but this is normal and you don't have to worry.

Although many mothers say they will continue to breastfeed, unexpected challenges often arise. For example, increased fatigue, which is a normal factor in pregnancy; physical discomfort such as tenderness or soreness of the nipples, which may last for several months or until the end of pregnancy. Many women report that the pain disappears completely after giving birth. But a number of them have found that hypersensitivity helps reduce problems such as sore nipples when starting to breastfeed a newborn baby.

Nausea may occur due to the discharge of milk, especially on an empty stomach. Another part of the mothers feel restless and anxious while breastfeeding. Some describe this moment as if something is crawling on their skin.

In case you have a severe pregnancy and a risk of premature birth, it is recommended that you avoid sexual intercourse (as oxytocin is also released) during pregnancy, weaning will probably also be recommended.

Your doctor will probably recommend that you wean your baby if you also have bleeding, pain or are carrying twins.

Continuing breastfeeding during pregnancy is your decision. There may be a medical reason why you should discontinue it, but this is very rare. In short, with a normal pregnancy and good health, there is no reason not to breastfeed.

What happens to breast milk productivity?

If your baby is under nine months old and you are eating a healthy, well-balanced diet and breastfeeding whenever your baby wants, you may find that lactation is maintained. But many mothers report that milk production decreases in mid-pregnancy (fourth to fifth months), and sometimes in the first months. This is due to the rise in the hormone progesterone during pregnancy.

Should I wean the child? Is it ready? Am I ready?

A very important aspect to consider is whether your child is ready to be weaned. Factors that are important here are the age of the child, the way of breastfeeding, as well as the physical and psychological attitude that the child has towards your pregnancy.

Breast milk during pregnancy can change the taste with and as colostrum begins to form again . For this reason, the child may want to wean earlier than expected. On the other hand, it may be an addicted infant and not ready to be weaned.

You will probably ask yourself if you are ready to wean the baby. You may be hesitant about how the pregnancy will affect your relationship. Another important thing is whether the child wants to be breastfed for food or for comfort.

It is extremely important to monitor the health and development of infants who are under 6 months of age and are exclusively dependent on breast milk. Additional feedings may be needed to ensure that the baby grows and develops well. Older children who are already fed may prefer other foods to breast milk.

Whether you continue breastfeeding or wean your baby should depend only on how you feel (physically and mentally). Your choice will be the right decision for you, because each situation is unique and every day leads to changes for you, the infant and your unborn child.

After all, when breastfeeding and pregnancy coincide, the main considerations you will have will be related to relationships and feelings. You will want to consider the needs of the unborn child and the child you are breastfeeding, in addition to your own feelings. Therefore, it is best not to rush with a decision, but leave your options open depending on the situation and the needs of you and your children.