Breastfeeding while Pregnant

For one reason or another, many moms find themselves breastfeeding while pregnant to some extent. Not very many moms start their breastfeeding journey expecting to nurse while pregnant, but some find themselves in that situation. These mothers often wonder If it’s safe to continue nursing during pregnancy and how pregnancy impacts breastfeeding and what to expect. 

In most low-risk pregnancies, it is perfectly safe to continue nursing while pregnant, but talk with your provider if you have any concerns. 

What to expect when breastfeeding during pregnancy 

The hormones attributed to pregnancy and breastfeeding are in conflict with one another, making breastfeeding during pregnancy somewhat of a guessing game. Pregnancy hormones are meant to keep lactation at bay, which is why moms can sometimes express small amounts of colostrum in the final weeks of pregnancy but milk production doesn’t kick into high gear until the placenta has been delivered. The delivery of the placenta is what causes pregnancy hormones to plummet and lactation hormones to skyrocket. 

How a mom’s body will respond to breastfeeding during pregnancy is somewhat unique to each woman. Some moms continue to nurse to some degree their entire pregnancy and go on to tandem nurse once the new baby is born. Other moms notice a big drop in milk supply early in pregnancy, potentially causing their nursling to wean. 

With pregnancy, the nutrition of the mother impacts not only the growing baby inside, but also the mom’s own health and well-being. Adding breastfeeding into the mix means there is more demand on your body, as sustaining several people requires more energy and more nutrients for everyone to thrive. It’s likely that your body will prioritize the baby in the womb and the breastfeeding child and leave you to live off of your reserves. Eating more nutrient rich foods, eating more often, and intentionally replenishing your body with key minerals will be required so you don’t become completely depleted. Ensuring that a high quality prenatal vitamin is taken daily is also very important. Eat to satisfaction and continue to drink to thirst. Many moms are surprised by how incredibly hungry they are 24/7 in the first trimester when they are breastfeeding. Keeping healthy snacks with you day and night and increasing your protein intake will be necessary. 

Breast tenderness and nipple pain or discomfort are common during pregnancy and can be even more heightened when breastfeeding during pregnancy. You might notice pain when your nursling latches on or pain the entire nursing session. Some moms find this is worse in the first trimester and gets better in the second trimester. Others notice discomfort more as the weeks and months of pregnancy go on. Nursing aversion and agitation is a frequent complaint of nursing moms who are expecting. Where you once felt love and tenderness when your baby nursed you all of a sudden might feel very uncomfortable and dread nursing when your child is latched on. Some moms say it’s “like your skin is crawling”. Hormones can wreak havoc on so many areas of our lives and unfortunately this is another way they mess with us. Finding ways to distract yourself while nursing so you can focus on something other than the irritating sensation or pain is helpful for some moms. If your nursling is a toddler you can set healthy boundaries with your child by setting limits on how long they can nurse so you both get your needs met.

If your nursling is under a year old, work closely with a lactation professional and your child’s pediatrician to ensure they are getting enough breastmilk. Regular weight checks will probably be necessary. If you find that your milk supply dramatically drops, supplementing might be recommended depending on your baby’s age. Continuing to seek support in this area is highly recommended as well. 

Just like each pregnancy and breastfeeding experience is unique, each pregnancy while breastfeeding is unique as well. Finding support during this season can sometimes be challenging but more moms have gone through this stage than you probably realize. 

Reach out to Beholding Baby for personalized support and encouragement as you navigate, or consider navigating, breastfeeding while pregnant. Thinking about weaning? We can help with that too! 

Looking for other great resources regarding breastfeeding during pregnancy and/or tandem nursing? You may be interested in checking out

•  Adventures in Tandem Nursing: Breastfeeding during Pregnancy and Beyond by Hilary Flower. 

• https://kellymom.com/pregnancy/bf-preg/bfpregnancy_safety/