Breastfeeding While Pregnant: The Scoop!Most women have several questions about breastfeeding while pregnant; to add to the confusion are several misconceptions about getting pregnant while breastfeeding, such as the popular belief that a woman cannot conceive while she is breastfeeding which could not be further away from the truth.While many women are told that they should stop breast feeding if they conceive because it will rob the fetus of nutrients; this again is a medically disapproved misconception. Here is a look at the answers to some of the queries that you may have about breastfeeding while pregnant but did not know who to ask. Is breastfeeding while pregnant safe?Safety of their unborn child is the primary concern facing women who consider breastfeeding while pregnant; medical reports suggest that breastfeeding is SAFE during pregnancy in most women; however, it does increase your nutritional needs. As long as you are vigilant about the amount of nutrition that you consume and keep yourself well hydrated, you should not have a problem. Apart from healthy eating, you will also need to supplement your diet with prenatal vitamins, especially vitamin D.How long can I breastfeed while pregnant? Can I breastfeed until the end of my pregnancy?You can breastfeed for as long as you want while you are pregnant, right until the end of the pregnancy; however, you will need to find more comfortable positions to breastfeed the child as your belly grows. Even after you have had the new baby, you can continue breastfeeding in tandem if you are comfortable with it. Once again remember that breastfeeding two babies puts a strain on the nutritional reserves of the body which should be replenished with proper supplements and a diet rich is fruits, vegetables and other nutritious choices.What could happen to my unborn baby?Normally, breastfeeding while pregnant is completely safe and will not harm the unborn child; however, aggressive hydration is the key to preventing risks. Breastfeeding your child uses up a lot of fluids from the body and if these are not replenished, the resultant dehydration can prove detrimental to the unborn child.Will my milk taste different to the nursing child?Yes, the composition of breast milk changes through out pregnancy so while some toddlers may not mind the changing taste of breast milk as your pregnancy advances, others may wean naturally because they do not like the taste. Often children who stop drinking breast milk tend to revert to the habit once the new baby is born. Several child psychologists suggest that tandem breastfeeding may actually help the older and the younger child to bond with each other. Another factor that can make breastfeeding while pregnant difficult is the natural decrease in the amount of breast milk in the second trimester. If your baby is not getting enough nourishment, you will need to use supplements to ensure that you baby adequate nutrition.How will this affect me nutritionally?If you are pregnant while breastfeeding, you need to ensure that you get adequate nutrition to meet the demands placed on your body. Some women may even have to consult a nutritionist. Most gynecologists will prescribe the use of prenatal vitamins and other supplements along with a recommendation to eat healthily and drink a lot of fluids so that your body gets ample of nutrition to meet the needs of the unborn child.Since breastfeeding can greatly impact the calcium in the mother's body, vitamin D and even calcium supplements may be required to make up for any deficiencies. When and why should you stop breastfeeding?As you can see, pregnancy is not reason enough to stop breastfeeding your child; some natural factors that may lead you to stop breastfeeding while pregnant include• The baby has started biting the nipple • The milk supply is reduced towards the second trimester and may even dry up completely • You feel constant fatigue and nutritional supplements do not seem to help • If you have a Mastitis infection Regardless of when you stop breastfeeding, it is essential to do it gradually; because breastfeeding provides the child with a sense of security and comfort, you don't want to stop abruptly as this may have long standing psychological consequences including a feeling of guilt and also a feeling of hatred towards the new born child. Read more on weaning from breastfeeding. Some facts about breastfeeding while pregnantUterine contractions are common when you are pregnant while breastfeeding, nipple stimulation and the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy result in these contractions apart from exercise and orgasm which can also cause it. If there is pain or any other feeling of discomfort, you should get in touch with your gynecologist at the earliest Breastfeeding does not increase the risk of miscarriage. Nipple tenderness is common during pregnancy and this may cause some amount of discomfort while breastfeeding, switching the baby's position often helps to alleviate the discomfort You will need extra rest if you are breastfeeding while pregnant and feeling some amount of fatigue as you continue breastfeeding into your pregnancy should not be cause for concern. When in doubt about breastfeeding while pregnant, seek advice from your gynecologist. It is imperative to not get carried away by the explanations and the logic of friends and family members who advise you against it. Sometimes, your doctor may ask you to stop breastfeeding because it may not suit your health in which case you can either heed his advice or get a second opinion. Return from Breastfeeding While Pregnant to the Homepage New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
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