Is it possible to feed breast milk during a second pregnancy? Pregnancy during lactation: symptoms and continuation of breastfeeding You can breastfeed while pregnant
Doctors often advise the mother to wean the baby immediately as soon as another pregnancy is confirmed. They may be afraid that continuing to breastfeed during pregnancy will slow down the growth and development of the fetus or cause miscarriage or premature birth. However, much of the existing written material falls into the category of guesswork and hypotheses rather than scientific research.
One of the reasons why doctors advise stopping breastfeeding is the effect of oxytocin on the uterus. Research shows that constant, regular stimulation of the nipples with a breast pump can trigger labor pains in women who are pregnant full-term. Putting your newborn to the breast after birth helps the uterus contract and return to its pre-pregnancy state. Both of these phenomena occur due to the release of the hormone oxytocin, which causes milk flow and uterine contractions. However, there are several reasons why continued breastfeeding does not cause problems in women with normal pregnancies.
The uterus at the beginning of pregnancy is not the same as before or immediately after childbirth. It has much fewer oxytocin receptors - areas that can absorb oxytocin. Between the first and third trimesters of pregnancy, the number of these sites increases 12 times (and before the onset of labor another two to three times). The lower ability of the uterus to absorb oxytocin early in pregnancy indicates that oxytocin will not induce effective contractions at this time. Perhaps it is for this reason that induction of labor with intravenous oxytocin is sometimes unsuccessful: the uterus is not yet ready.
During most of pregnancy, the dominant hormone is progesterone. Towards the end of pregnancy, in preparation for childbirth, the level of estrogen in the blood becomes higher than the level of progesterone. Progesterone relaxes smooth muscle cells. Since the walls of the gastrointestinal tract and blood vessels are covered with a layer of such cells, a similar effect of progesterone can add discomfort during pregnancy - heartburn, varicose veins, susceptibility to urinary tract infections. At the same time, the high level of progesterone during pregnancy allows you to keep the smooth muscles of the uterus at rest until the right moment - the onset of labor.
In the first days after birth, when milk production is just beginning, women have very high levels of hormones involved in milk production, which in turn have a strong effect on the uterus. When a baby nurses, these hormones are active. Over time, when the mother's body gets used to the regular stimulation of the baby's sucking, a much lower level of the hormone becomes sufficient to maintain lactation. With the establishment of lactation, the level of the hormone in the blood becomes completely small. Thus, oxytocin levels are lower when the uterus is less sensitive to it. For the known effect of stimulating labor during full-term pregnancy, long-term stimulation of the nipples with a hospital breast pump was required. Even the most devoted breast-loving babies are unlikely to be capable of such efforts after a year.
What about premature birth? With them the situation is not as obvious as with the threat of first trimester miscarriage, and in this case, it seems much more likely that if the symptoms of the onset of premature labor occur, the mother would be better off stopping feeding, at least for a while.
Breastfeeding at the same time as pregnancy may well have been commonplace several generations ago, and is still common in some nations where long-term nursing is common. Some anthropological studies on this issue have found a "coincidence" with feeding in 12 to 50 percent of pregnancies in countries such as Bangladesh (12%), Senegal (30%), Java (40%) and Guatemala (50%) (Lawrence 1994) . Many of these women continue to breastfeed until mid-pregnancy and beyond. According to statistics, between 16 and 30 percent of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, and it is possible that this can sometimes coincide with breastfeeding.
Feelings
How will your next pregnancy affect your relationship with your baby? Each woman experiences this completely differently. This depends on many factors, including the baby's age, personality, current feeding habits, your physical and emotional reaction to the pregnancy, and your attitude toward continued feeding (which is often unpredictable in advance). Consider what the baby's primary breast needs are - nutrition or comfort - and how these needs (all or some) will be met if breastfeeding is replaced. Only you can find the balance that suits you. Breastfeeding during pregnancy can be very emotional for both you and your baby. One mother told me: “My daughter would not refuse the breast, even if machine oil was pouring out of it.”
Nipple soreness
Many mothers, although certainly not all, experience pain or discomfort in the breasts or nipples, or emotional discomfort from simultaneously breastfeeding and pregnancy. One study found pain to be the most common reason for not breastfeeding during pregnancy, followed by weakness and irritability.
Hormonal balance is as individual as a fingerprint, as is evident from the wide variety of variations in the “normal” menstrual cycle. The degree of breast and nipple tenderness and discomfort when feeding before your period can to some extent predict the intensity of the same symptoms during pregnancy, since symptoms can be determined by estrogen and progesterone levels. However, even women who have not noticed any discomfort with feeding before menstruation may notice them during pregnancy.
Nipple pain during pregnancy is caused by the mother's hormones, so treatment may not help. In addition, it manifests itself differently in all women.
Reducing the amount of milk
Many women experience a decrease in milk supply during pregnancy. Scientific research on feeding during pregnancy has been conducted mainly after the end of the relevant experience, so the evidence found about a decrease in milk supply may not provide a complete picture of when and to what extent breast milk changes during pregnancy. In Raising a Baby Beyond One Year, Norma Jane Bumgarner writes about a study in which the milk of three pregnant women was analyzed over several months. “About the second month of pregnancy, the milk began to change composition, similar to what happens during weaning. Sodium and protein concentrations gradually increased, and milk volume, glucose, lactose and potassium concentrations gradually decreased. During weaning, these changes are caused by a decrease in sucking, but in pregnant women they occurred against the background of continued feeding as much as or even more than before pregnancy.”
High levels of estrogen and progesterone are known to suppress milk production. At some point during pregnancy, perhaps in the second trimester, milk turns into colostrum. (In some nations, colostrum is considered an unclean substance, perhaps this is one of the reasons for the taboo on feeding during pregnancy). Although some women have a lot of colostrum, the amount of milk still decreases noticeably with this change. In addition, the taste and composition change greatly. Some children themselves refuse the “new” milk when the composition changes. Others don't care. One two-year-old girl told her mother at the beginning of the second trimester: “Milk is like strawberries and cream!” The change from milk to colostrum is caused by hormonal changes and cannot be postponed to a later date; it does not depend on the mother's food and drink.
If your baby is under six months old and completely dependent on breast milk for nutrition at the time of conception, your ability to feed him during your next pregnancy becomes a matter of utmost importance. Careful monitoring of his health and weight gain is necessary. Some supplementation may be needed. Older babies who are already eating a variety of solid foods will need to eat more of them as their milk supply decreases.
A balanced, well-chosen diet will allow you not to exhaust your natural reserves. However, continuing to feed will in no way deprive the baby of the substances it needs as it develops in the womb. While breastfeeding, you may feel very hungry. It is very important to eat properly and in plenty, as well as to drink when thirsty. Some sources advise a pregnant nursing mother to eat “as if she were pregnant with twins.”
At the same time, do not neglect the mother's feelings. When feeding during pregnancy, negative emotions are often encountered, as well as noticeable physical discomfort. Perhaps with these feelings, nature encourages mothers to focus on the unborn child in the womb, who is more vulnerable and in need of care than the older one.
When breastfeeding and pregnancy coincide in time, it is very important to consider feelings and relationships when making decisions. Only a mother can decide what is best to do, based both on her feelings and needs and on the feelings and needs of her babies.
Many women who have recently given birth find out about their new pregnancy while breastfeeding. Of course, sometimes this is planned, but most often the mother perceives the birth of a new life as a surprise, since she relied on the natural contraceptive effect during lactation. In any case, the woman faces a serious question: whether to continue breastfeeding her older child or interrupt the process. Will lactation harm a new pregnancy?
What is the lactation period in pregnant women
The ability to breastfeed during pregnancy, in general, is inherent in the female body by nature itself. Our distant ancestors did not even think about this issue.
Today, doctors believe that the optimal break between two pregnancies for a woman should be at least two years. This time is needed to fully recover after childbirth and replenish the nutritional costs associated with breastfeeding. If the mother finds herself in the “position” earlier than the specified period, then her body is forced to work in an enhanced mode, spend additional resources to support the new life that has arisen in it, and at the same time also support the lactation process. However, in life it is impossible to plan everything in advance, and many breastfeeding women soon after giving birth find out that there will soon be another addition to their family.
Of course, it is optimal to maintain an interval between two pregnancies of at least two years, but in life it is impossible to plan everything
Meanwhile, the problem of the possibility of lactation during pregnancy is relevant, as a rule, in developed countries. In modern third world countries, characterized by poverty and a low level of medical development, women, as in ancient times, still successfully combine breastfeeding with childbearing.
Thus, according to statistics, in Guatemala half of pregnancies coincide with breastfeeding. On the island of Java this figure is 40%, in Senegal - 30%, in Bangladesh - 12%.
Breastfeeding during a new pregnancy has its own characteristics. Mothers who have encountered this note the following nuances:
- Excessive nipple sensitivity, general breast soreness. This is due to natural hormonal changes during pregnancy (especially if a woman has always experienced similar sensations before her period). You can reduce discomfort with various home remedies: cooling the nipples with ice cubes, wetting them with herbal infusions, for example, oak bark. In addition, the nipple needs to be placed deeper into the baby’s mouth - this will reduce pain.
- Fatigue, fatigue. It is especially pronounced in the early stages and is again associated with a hormonal factor (but not with the feeding process). Therefore, it is very important for a pregnant woman with a small child to have time to sleep or simply relax during those moments when the baby is sleeping. As the gestational age increases, the woman's condition will improve.
- Change in the taste of breast milk. Under the influence of pregnancy hormones, the amount of lactose in the nutrient fluid decreases and, conversely, the amount of sodium increases. Of course, infants feel these changes, but many of them do not refuse the breast, but still willingly take it.
- Problems with choosing a position for feeding. When the mother already has an impressive tummy, it can be difficult to attach the baby to the breast: here you have to experiment.
Photo gallery: nuances of the lactation period in pregnant women
During pregnancy, a woman’s breasts become overly sensitive, including the nipples, so feeding can cause discomfort for the mother. When the mother already has a large belly, it may be difficult to choose a position for feeding. In the early stages of pregnancy, a nursing mother gets tired quickly, so she just needs to rest when baby is sleeping
Is it possible to feed breast milk during pregnancy: pros and cons
Rejection of breastfeeding during pregnancy is associated with a number of arguments that are not justified upon closer examination:
- During lactation, the level of the hormone oxytocin increases, which can cause miscarriage or premature birth. By stimulating the release of milk from the mammary glands, this substance simultaneously increases the contractility of the uterus. This is why the uterus of nursing mothers quickly returns to its normal state. However, the state of the organ at the beginning of pregnancy differs significantly from its postpartum state: the uterus contains much fewer receptors that absorb oxytocin (their number increases 12 times only by the 3rd trimester). Therefore, in the first half of pregnancy, even high concentrations of the hormone do not pose a danger. In addition, the level of oxytocin is very high only in the first time after childbirth, when lactation is established. Then the body adapts and produces less of it: thus, there is no particular danger for termination of pregnancy during lactation, even at a long gestation period. The only thing that a nursing mother should not do in order to avoid artificial contractions while carrying another child is to regularly and for a long time stimulate her breasts with a breast pump.
- Elevated levels of the hormone progesterone reduce milk production. Indeed, many pregnant women notice this early in their pregnancy. And theoretically, lactation should fade away closer to childbirth. However, wise nature has made the process of milk synthesis reflexively dependent: if the breasts are stimulated, then a nutrient fluid will be produced in the mammary glands. In addition, the mother must maintain lactation to the best of her ability: with a balanced diet, taking vitamins, etc. It is necessary to monitor the child’s height and weight in order to introduce supplementary feeding in case of a lack of milk.
- Under the influence of hormones before childbirth, mature milk will be replaced by colostrum, but this is not a reason to stop breastfeeding. After the birth of another baby, it will be possible to feed the children in tandem.
- The unborn child (the youngest) will not have enough nutrients, because they are used to maintain lactation. In fact, in this case, only the mother can suffer, because the female body has certain priorities in the distribution of nutrients. First of all, he worries about maintaining the pregnancy, then he strives to maintain milk production and only the remaining nutrients go to maintaining maternal health. This is why nursing pregnant women often experience very strong pangs of hunger. To maintain their health, they need to regularly eat a balanced diet and maintain a drinking regime.
Thus, in most cases, a mother who becomes pregnant again can continue to breastfeed her older child without endangering the unborn child. In this case, lactation can be gradually completed by the time of birth, or you can not do this, and then feed two children in tandem.
Lactation may not be completed by the time of delivery, so then both children can be fed in tandem at once
The age of the older child and his state of health play an important role. It is advisable to breastfeed a baby longer if he was born premature, took antibiotics, is prone to allergies, has problems with the gastrointestinal tract, or is developmentally delayed (physical or psychomotor). In any case, even if the child is healthy, it is good to extend the lactation period to at least six months.
Of course, a breastfeeding woman who finds out about a new pregnancy should think carefully. Mom must realize that her body still places an additional burden. Therefore, it is extremely important for her to have opportunities for proper rest (helpers are of great importance here, which not everyone has), eat very well, walk in the fresh air, and have a positive psychological attitude. After all, children first need a healthy mother.
Before deciding to continue or end lactation during a new pregnancy, a woman should think carefully and evaluate her capabilities.
Contraindications to breastfeeding during pregnancy
The decision to continue or stop breastfeeding should be made together with the attending physician who is managing the pregnancy. After all, there are a number of contraindications to continuing lactation during pregnancy:
- Woman's age (pregnancy too early or late).
- The general health of the mother, the presence of chronic diseases (for example, diabetes).
- Multiple pregnancy.
- Previous miscarriages or premature births.
- Pronounced toxicosis with weight loss in the mother.
- Preeclampsia.
- Threat of miscarriage.
- Isthmic-cervical insufficiency (dilation of the cervix with increasing load ahead of schedule).
- Applying a suture to the cervix.
- Low hemoglobin levels in a woman (anemia), which increases the risk of intrauterine hypoxia in the fetus.
- Taking certain medications.
- Abdominal pain that worsens during feeding.
Photo gallery: some contraindications for breastfeeding during pregnancy
If the pregnancy is late, then, most likely, you should not combine it with lactation. Severe toxicosis during pregnancy greatly depletes the female body, so it will be difficult for her to breastfeed the baby. Multiple pregnancy is already an increased load for the body, so it is not worth it additionally breastfeed an older child
If a pregnant mother has low hemoglobin, it is better not to breastfeed her older baby
Video: pregnant mother talks about her experience of breastfeeding during pregnancy (features of each trimester)
How to stop breastfeeding without harming your pregnancy
If a mother has decided to wean her older child, it is best to do it gradually. In this case, the process of stopping feeding for the baby will be psychologically painless, and the amount of milk in the female mammary glands will decrease naturally, without causing lactostasis and other problems.
First of all, a woman should consult her doctor. After all, during pregnancy, not all methods of suppressing lactation are allowed. For example, seemingly harmless herbal infusions and decoctions can pose a threat to the developing fetus and even cause a miscarriage.
Before stopping breastfeeding, a pregnant mother should definitely consult with her doctor.
The principle of gradual completion of lactation (the most optimal method during pregnancy) is a consistent reduction in the number of feedings. First, the mother removes one daytime breastfeeding (replacing it with formula or other food), then another, etc., leaving only nighttime ones. After that they disappear too. At the same time, the woman reduces the time of each feeding. Thus, the female body will not experience severe stress, milk production will gradually decrease, and eventually disappear completely. Likewise, the weaning process will go smoothly for the baby.
You need to wean your baby from the breast gradually, sequentially eliminating feedings, first during the day, then at night.
As for more radical methods, they can be dangerous during pregnancy. For example, tightening your breasts with an elastic bandage can lead to the development of mastitis. This means mandatory antibacterial therapy, which is extremely undesirable during pregnancy. Chemicals (for example, Dostinex) in the early stages can seriously harm the embryo.
During the period of bearing a child, compresses on the chest using alcohol and camphor oil are not allowed (you can only use cabbage leaves or just cold pressure on the chest).
It is not advisable to wean your baby before 12 weeks of gestation. This will avoid a hormonal “surge” in the body and its consequences (termination of pregnancy). If your health allows, you need to feed the child for at least this period.
It is psychologically easier to wean a baby from the breast if he is still very small. An older baby (especially after a year) already realizes his “loss”: after all, he already needs not only food, but also close contact with his mother. He may regret breastfeeding for a long time and try to resume his favorite way of eating.
If the mother does not plan tandem feeding, then she needs to stop feeding the older child before giving birth (at least a couple of months) so that the baby has time to forget about the mother’s breast. If this is done after the youngest is born, then problems may arise: the appearance of a brother or sister will be associated in the toddler’s mind with a negative thing - weaning from his favorite food. The appearance of a “competitor” will be very difficult for a child to perceive.
If the mother does not plan tandem feeding, then the older child should be weaned from the breast before birth to avoid child competition
It should be remembered that sometimes, even without such a bone of contention as breastfeeding, with the appearance of a younger brother or sister, jealousy awakens in the older child. For example, when my husband was born, his older sister, two years old, was very upset that now all the attention in the family was switched to him. And one day the parents saw a girl trying to hit her infant child with a bottle of perfume - this is how she tried to get rid of her “rival”. Of course, over time, the jealousy passed, but I can imagine how it would have worsened during that period if the fight for my mother’s breast had also been involved.
Experts' opinion
Many modern pediatricians and lactation consultants fully accept the possibility of breastfeeding during pregnancy. So, Nina Zaichenko believes that this can be done unless the mother has medical contraindications and there is no discomfort when latching the baby (severe pain in the nipples, etc.). The specialist explains that tandem is a normal phenomenon inherent in nature itself (after all, it’s not for nothing that every woman is given about 300 eggs).
Video: breastfeeding during pregnancy (various aspects of the topic are covered by lactation consultant Nina Zaichenko)
Doctor E. Komarovsky is of the opinion that although an older child can be fed during a new pregnancy, it is better to complete this process before childbirth.
...the truth is somewhere in between “quit immediately” and “feed for up to 6 months.” That is, you really should stop feeding, but do it gradually - over 1-2 months: reduce the number of feedings, reduce the length of time the baby stays at the breast, and under no circumstances pump.
E. Komarovsky
http://www.komarovskiy.net/faq/beremennost-i-kormlenie-grudyu.html
If a young mother finds out about her new pregnancy, she does not have to stop breastfeeding her older child. A woman just needs to be more attentive to her well-being and follow some rules. Meanwhile, in some situations that pose a threat to pregnancy, lactation must be completed. This should be done only in permitted ways and delicately towards the older child.
Breastfeeding is a wonderful period in a woman’s life; in the hassle and care of a child, a series of feedings, walks and new discoveries, many women sometimes forget about pregnancy protection. Sometimes this arises due to being busy with other problems, sometimes because of the abundance of information that if you are breastfeeding and do not menstruate, then you cannot be pregnant. Sometimes women are afraid to use previously familiar contraception because of the possibility of harming the baby or lactation. And then a new pregnancy becomes a big surprise, especially if the first-born is only a few months old or about a year old. What to do with breastfeeding if you decide to continue your new pregnancy, because the baby is still very small? On the other hand, if you continue feeding, will this harm the health of the fetus and the mother herself? It is necessary to analyze in detail the nuances of breastfeeding during a new pregnancy.
Can a breastfeeding woman get pregnant?
Pregnancy is quite possible for breastfeeding women, and the chances of it occurring increase with each month of breastfeeding. There are many rumors and myths surrounding the restoration of the reproductive capacity of breastfeeding women. So, in particular, many women have heard about the method of lactational amenorrhea, which consists in the inability to conceive during the period of active breastfeeding. Yes, in approximately 94-96% of breastfeeding women in the first six months of life, the ability to ovulate and, accordingly, conceive a child is close to zero. Due to the action of the hormone prolactin, ovulation is inhibited, there is no menstruation and pregnancy will not occur. But for this method to work, strict conditions must be met:
Do not give the child any other food or drink other than the breast;
- feed the baby on demand, the intervals between feedings should not exceed 2-3 hours so that prolactin levels are consistently high;
- you need to have no hormonal disruptions in the reproductive system; if menstruation has begun, then ovulation and pregnancy are already quite possible.
In addition, there are always 4-6% of women for whom this method does not work at all. They can become pregnant at the very first ovulation, even before the arrival of the first menstruation in a period of two to six months from the moment of birth.
After six months and from the moment of introduction of complementary feeding, this method generally loses its relevance and the selection of reliable means of contraception is necessary. For nursing mothers, the most relevant methods are interrupted coitus and the use of a condom, which can fail. More reliable methods are progestin-based oral contraceptives - the so-called “mini-pills”. They do not affect the quality of milk, its taste and quantity; they can be used during breastfeeding, but they should be taken strictly on an hourly basis, without the slightest omission. They may also not be combined with certain medications or may simply not be suitable for the woman and are poorly tolerated. Therefore, the question of a possible early pregnancy is urgent!
Doctors' opinion
Most obstetricians-gynecologists and pediatricians do not enthusiastically support the idea of breastfeeding during the next pregnancy. In support of their opinion, many completely objective reasons are given in favor of refusing to feed or ending it as soon as possible during the first months of a new pregnancy. It is difficult to argue with this opinion and sometimes it is necessary to listen to the opinion of doctors - they proceed from the position of the greatest benefit for everyone: the unborn child, the existing baby and the health of the mother herself.
Thus, severe toxicosis in the early stages of pregnancy exhausts a woman, and breastfeeding due to nausea and vomiting can also suffer along with the woman’s health. Sometimes, to maintain pregnancy due to health problems, it becomes necessary to take strong medications, which may be incompatible with breastfeeding, since the components of the drug can affect the baby through breast milk.
Other reasons for refusing breastfeeding in favor of a new pregnancy include the threat of termination of pregnancy, and sometimes inpatient preservation is required, which cannot be combined with feeding the first baby. Then the issue is resolved in favor of pregnancy, albeit with the refusal of full feeding of the elder. Pregnancy can cause increased sensitivity in the nipple area, which makes the feeding process painful and unpleasant for the mother; the tone of the uterus can increase, especially in the face of problems with pregnancy, and this, if breastfeeding continues, can result in premature birth.
Another argument from doctors is the fact of a decrease in hemoglobin during a previous pregnancy and the consumption of iron for milk production. Therefore, the risk of developing iron deficiency anemia sharply increases, which in a new pregnancy leads to the formation of chronic fetal hypoxia and disruption of its normal development. Such a baby will be weak and sickly, his nervous system will suffer. Sometimes during pregnancy, breastfeeding is disrupted due to a lack of milk, impaired weight gain by the child and the need for supplementary feeding and a smooth transition to mixed or artificial feeding with complementary foods.
Therefore, most doctors are inclined to gradually abandon breastfeeding during pregnancy in favor of the second baby still in the womb. The mother needs to rest before giving birth and gain strength.
Opinion of lactation consultants
Breastfeeding experts have a slightly different opinion regarding breastfeeding during pregnancy. They advocate for its continuation, especially if the baby has not yet reached one year, and then, after birth, to transform breastfeeding into tandem - that is, feeding both the baby and the grown-up toddler at once. In their opinion, the risks voiced by doctors are somewhat exaggerated, and most medications allowed for pregnant women will not harm the health of the suckling.
They also claim that breastfeeding from the very first weeks of pregnancy does not increase the risk of miscarriage, since lactation mechanisms are natural for the body and cannot cause disturbances in the development of the unborn child and the course of pregnancy. According to consultants, hemoglobin in pregnant women decreases physiologically, and it is quite possible to improve health while breastfeeding. Therefore, it is impossible to say which of the experts is right or wrong - each side provides its own logical and reasoned arguments.
To feed or not to feed?
Every breastfeeding woman makes this decision for herself based on her condition - how difficult a new pregnancy is for her, whether she wants to continue breastfeeding the baby or not, there will be no clear answer “yes” or “no” in such a situation, the approach is individual in each case .
If the decision is made in favor of refusing to feed, it is necessary to wean the baby off the breast smoothly, gradually stopping feeding towards the middle of pregnancy (by 20-24 weeks), if medical indications allow. If a quick cessation of feeding is necessary, it is necessary to provide the child with adequate nutrition for his age, so that stopping breastfeeding will not be a blow to the baby and his health. Usually the breast is replaced with complementary foods and formula, leaving it only for falling asleep, and gradually abandoning night feedings. By the time the second baby is born, the eldest usually already adequately eats complementary foods and baby food and does not require breast milk.
If the decision is made to continue breastfeeding, then preparation for future tandem feeding is necessary, taking into account the fact that the mother will have to spend some time in the maternity hospital, and the baby will have to do without a breast. A pregnant nursing mother needs to eat well in fractional small portions, take vitamin and mineral supplements to replenish calcium and iron losses, drink more fluids and try not to lift the significantly heavier first-born. If possible, you only need to take care of yourself and your children; other worries around the house and everyday life must be transferred to other shoulders - otherwise you will become physically tired.
If the mother is pregnant again, will her condition affect breastfeeding: will the composition, quantity and taste of the milk change?
When breastfeeding during pregnancy, several changes occur in breast milk. Which sometimes push the baby to self-exclusion. About 60-70% of women breastfeeding during pregnancy note that the amount of milk decreases somewhat, and most babies no longer come to the breast as often. The amount of milk gradually decreases according to the duration of pregnancy, and in the last weeks its character may change somewhat in favor of the composition of colostrum, preparing for the birth of a new baby.
The taste of milk also changes; the amount of milk sugar (lactose) in it decreases, while the level of sodium increases, hence the change in its taste. Such changes may not satisfy the older suckling and he may voluntarily refuse milk that is no longer so tasty. Usually, the composition of milk begins to transform into the colostrum version; after all, the body adjusts to quickly feeding a smaller child with his needs.
What are the benefits of prenatal and tandem feedings?
And yet, for an older baby, especially one who has not reached the age of one and a half years, feeding before birth (and then tandem) is preferable to the decision to wean. The very fact of weaning a baby who is not yet ready for this is stressful, and the birth of another baby in the family who will take up mother’s time and feed from the breast is double stress. For a child, the mother’s breast is a stronghold of love and care, and its abrupt weaning can be perceived as an insult and deprivation. The mother may also feel guilty that, due to her pregnancy, she was not able to fully feed her older child for as long as he would have liked. This will lead to internal tension in the mother-older baby relationship.
One of the pleasant aspects of breastfeeding before childbirth is the condition of the breasts after the birth of the second baby - there is no engorgement, soreness and a sudden flow of milk. Since the breast is in constant working mode, it is easier and easier to attach the baby to the breast. He will immediately begin to get enough milk. When returning home and establishing tandem feedings, the issue of jealousy of the elder towards the younger is smoothed out, since they both receive their portions of milk and love with tenderness. It is easier for a mother to put both babies to bed, although it will be difficult for her; both will want to feed at night.
In any case, the decision to continue or stop feeding when a new pregnancy occurs should be made by the nursing woman herself, after talking with her family and doctor. You should not succumb to the opinions of others, this decision should be yours, taking into account the interests of both the older and the future younger child.
The birth of a baby is a period of life associated not only with joyful experiences, but also with numerous chores that require daily strength. At this time, the whole life of the family usually revolves around the child, and other problems fade into the background.
As a rule, young mothers during this period of life rarely ask themselves the question of whether it is possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding, believing that wise nature will take care of everything itself. Hormonal changes in a woman’s body do provide reliable protection for a woman, but not for the entire period of lactation and only if certain conditions are met.
When can you get pregnant while breastfeeding?
According to medical canons, sexual relations between husband and wife should be resumed no earlier than 6-8 weeks after childbirth. This will allow the woman’s internal genital organs to be fully restored. However, according to statistics, almost no one adheres to such recommendations, and most couples resume sexual life in the second month after childbirth. And already at this moment it is necessary to have an accurate understanding of the conditions under which you can become pregnant while breastfeeding.
The so-called lactational amenorrhea method is determined by the production of a significant amount of the hormone prolactin, which regulates the production of breast milk. Due to this, the full growth of the follicle in the ovary is inhibited. The menstrual cycle does not resume because there is no ovulation, without which pregnancy cannot occur.
However, to prevent a nursing mother from becoming pregnant, it is necessary to adhere to certain conditions:
- The child should be fed not according to time, but according to demand, providing him with feeding not only during the day, but also at night;
- The maximum allowable interval between feedings during the day should be 3-4 hours, and at night - 6 hours;
- The baby should not receive any additional drink or food in addition to breastfeeding.
Is it possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding by following these rules? By observing these conditions, you can be sure that pregnancy will not occur within 6 months after birth. However, with the advent of the first complementary foods, which are usually introduced six months later, you need to think about reliable methods of contraception.
A nursing mother is pregnant - possible health consequences
If a nursing mother becomes pregnant, this usually happens six months after giving birth. Despite the significant period, this is sometimes not enough to fully restore the body from stress, which is usually the period of pregnancy and childbirth for a woman’s body.
According to many doctors, pregnancy occurring within the first two years after childbirth increases the risk of developing many complications, among which the most common are an increased risk of miscarriages, the development of severe anemia, postpartum complications, and placental insufficiency.
However, if a nursing mother is pregnant, this is not a reason to think about an abortion. In addition to psychological stress, abortion can also have quite strong negative consequences for a woman's health.
To avoid such problems, as soon as the first worries associated with the birth of a baby subside, you should select adequate contraceptive methods that can provide reliable protection for the young mother.
Breastfeeding during pregnancy - difficulties encountered
If a nursing mother is pregnant, you can often hear advice that breastfeeding should be interrupted in order to maintain the health of both the woman and the growing fetus.
Among the main difficulties encountered by a pregnant nursing mother are:
- Breast tenderness and increased sensitivity of the nipples. This is usually due to hormonal changes that occur in a pregnant woman's body;
- Increased tiredness and fatigue. A woman's drowsiness in the early stages of pregnancy is also associated with hormonal changes in the body. However, this usually goes away on its own with the correct organization of the daily routine, in which the pregnant nursing mother has enough time for proper rest;
- Decreased milk production. The natural decline of lactation occurs over a fairly long period of time and is not a reason for complete refusal to breastfeed;
- Changes in the taste of milk that occur during a new pregnancy often cause negative emotions in the child. But in most cases, children quickly get used to the new taste.
If a nursing mother becomes pregnant, it is necessary to pay attention to the lack of calcium, which can provoke a deficiency in the growing fetus. In addition, calcium deficiency is often one of the causes of miscarriage. Therefore, if a nursing mother is pregnant, she should first take care of ensuring a proper diet, rich in all necessary microelements and vitamins.
Calcium contained in fermented milk products is better absorbed than from whole milk. In addition, natural fermented milk products contribute to the proper functioning of the digestive tract, which is important for both the health of mother and child. In addition to dairy products, sesame contains large amounts of calcium, which should also be included in the diet when breastfeeding during pregnancy.
In addition to additionally providing the body with calcium, it is necessary to take care of a sufficient amount of essential vitamins. In this case, you should listen to the advice of doctors who will recommend the optimal vitamin complex in this situation.
One of the dangers when a nursing mother is pregnant is the contractions of the uterus, which breastfeeding stimulates. However, the secretion of the hormone oxytocin, which causes uterine contractions, is activated not only by breastfeeding, but also by sexual activity. In most cases, this does not increase the risk of premature birth, but this fact is important to consider in cases where there are other preconditions for miscarriage.
According to many modern doctors, breastfeeding during pregnancy, subject to proper nutrition and daily routine, when the woman has enough time to rest, does not cause significant harm to the mother’s body, the growing fetus, or the child.
Therefore, if a nursing mother is pregnant, when deciding whether to continue or stop breastfeeding, it is necessary to rely on:
- Age of the infant;
- The child’s physical and psychological need for attachments;
- The presence and degree of discomfort caused by breastfeeding (for example, sore nipples);
- The opinion of the baby's father and other loved ones about feeding during pregnancy.
If a nursing mother becomes pregnant and is deciding whether to stop breastfeeding her child in order to preserve the health of the growing fetus, you should take care of the baby’s emotional need for breastfeeding and, perhaps, not wean him until he is ready for this.
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Is pregnancy possible while breastfeeding? This question is asked by all nursing mothers. It would seem that there are no menstruation, and pregnancy cannot occur. But often everything turns out the other way around.
We will try to figure out why pregnancy can occur during breastfeeding, how to recognize it, and whether it is possible to breastfeed a baby during pregnancy.
Currently, there are a lot of contraceptives that help prevent pregnancy.
Popular among them are:
- Barrier method in the form of a cervical diaphragm.
- without ethinyl estradiol, or mini-pill.
- Lactational amenorrhea method.
The first 2 means of preventing unwanted pregnancy are indispensable in cases of irregular sexual activity. The IUD allows you to forget about pregnancy for 5 years. If necessary, it is removed earlier. COCs are taken according to the following scheme: 21 days of intake, 7 days of withdrawal.
The lactational amenorrhea method is based on the fact that conception does not occur during breastfeeding. Suppression of ovulation occurs due to the production of large amounts of the hormone prolactin, which is necessary for the production of breast milk. But some women face a new pregnancy during lactation. Why is this happening?
Menstruation is most often absent during breastfeeding. The recovery of the cycle is individual for each woman, so pregnancy during this period can occur after the first maturation of the egg. If a woman is not protected, instead of menstruation she will find 2 lines on a pregnancy test.
Pregnancy while breastfeeding is possible in 10% of women.
In order to reduce the risk of pregnancy during lactational amenorrhea, the following conditions must be met:
- breastfeed the baby on demand (if you feed according to a schedule, the effectiveness of the method is significantly reduced);
- perform night feedings daily;
- avoid pacifiers, as the baby may confuse the pacifier and nipple and begin to refuse the breast.
However, if all conditions are met, pregnancy occurs in 1-2% of cases.
Following these simple rules will reduce the likelihood of pregnancy, but will not eliminate it completely, therefore, to exclude unwanted pregnancy, it is necessary to use a reliable contraceptive. It is worth noting that this method only works in the first six months of breastfeeding.
If conception does occur against the background of lactational amenorrhea, the question arises whether it is possible to breastfeed during pregnancy.
How to determine pregnancy while breastfeeding
It can be difficult to understand that a new pregnancy has occurred during lactation, since women can attribute many changes in their bodies to motherhood.
Among the symptoms that will help determine pregnancy during breastfeeding, the main ones are:
- thickening and tenderness of the mammary glands (often this symptom occurs during lactation during milk flow or stagnation);
- soreness of the areola and nipples, which can also occur with cracks during breastfeeding;
- absence of the menstrual cycle, which is also typical for breastfeeding;
- feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen;
- nausea;
- drowsiness, which young mothers associate with lack of sleep;
- changes in taste and smell;
- mood disturbances;
- painful sensations in the back, which can also occur when carrying a child for a long time;
- changing the child’s behavior when breastfeeding by changing the taste of breast milk and thickening its consistency;
- independent and abrupt refusal of the child to breastfeed.
If 6 months after birth the menstrual cycle has not returned, it is recommended to take a pregnancy test. After 7-10 days from the moment of conception, it will show a positive result.
How pregnancy affects breastfeeding
When pregnancy occurs during breastfeeding, there are 3 possible scenarios:
- continued breastfeeding of the newborn;
- weaning him from the breast;
Pregnancy and breastfeeding are not mutually exclusive, especially if the baby is under 1 year of age. Often children themselves refuse breast milk due to changes in its taste, but attempts to maintain lactation are possible.
It is worth remembering that a woman’s body is primarily configured to prolong pregnancy and only secondarily to maintain the production of breast milk.
When conceiving again during lactation, a woman may experience sore nipples and breast swelling, which is also associated with hormonal changes during pregnancy.
The 2nd trimester is accompanied by a decrease in breast milk production, so it is necessary to transfer the baby to a mixed type of diet. If, after giving birth, a woman has enough milk, she can continue to feed both children at the same time.
There is no reliable data on whether breastfeeding affects the fetus. Most doctors recommend stopping breastfeeding once you become pregnant. This is due to changes in the hormonal background of a woman’s body. There is an opinion that increased prolactin levels may increase the risk of preterm birth, as the level of oxytocin automatically increases.
If a woman decides to have an abortion, this is fraught with negative consequences. Termination of pregnancy leads to a serious disruption in the hormonal background of the female body. In this case, abortion can become a cause in the future.
There are situations when breastfeeding and pregnancy are incompatible. For example, if the first child was born by way of birth, and re-conception occurred within six months after the operation. If the suture on the uterus does not stabilize, this is fraught with complications not only for the mother, but also for the fetus. The most severe of them is uterine rupture and the death of the child.
- It is necessary to follow a diet; you can additionally take fortified preparations for pregnant and nursing mothers.
- You should consume enough fluid. This will help maintain lactation and reduce the risk of premature birth.
- It is necessary to remain calm and avoid stressful situations.
- Sleep should last at least 8 hours.
- You need to take walks in the fresh air for up to 3 hours a day.
You need to breastfeed your baby for at least six months, ideally at least a year. In order to determine whether a baby has enough milk, it is necessary to monitor his height and weight. If there is a lack of nutrition, the baby will have to be supplemented. If conception occurs while breastfeeding, the baby should not be weaned before 12 weeks of pregnancy, so as not to provoke the development of spontaneous miscarriage.
Is it possible to breastfeed if you are pregnant? This is a question that worries any young mother who is faced with conception during lactation. Every woman is individual, but everyone wants to give her child all the most valuable things. Breast milk contains substances necessary for the proper development of the baby. Whether it is worth continuing breastfeeding during pregnancy is up to the woman and the gynecologist to decide, but it is always worth remembering the possible risks for the mother and fetus.