You are breastfeeding your child and you have become pregnant again. At that time you are likely to be assaulted with a lot of doubts about breastfeeding: Can I continue breastfeeding? Could breastfeeding negatively affect pregnancy? Will my oldest son "steal" the milk from his newborn brother?
There are many questions, and many myths about breastfeeding during pregnancy. We tell you everything you need to know about breastfeeding in each trimester of pregnancy, as well as the cases in which it would not be recommended.
First trimester: increases breast tenderness
The most noticeable discomfort of the first trimester, - and in some women the first symptom of pregnancy, - is swelling and tenderness in the breasts.
From the first days, the breasts begin to prepare for breastfeeding. The high levels of progesterone and estrogens make them grow and become more sensitive, and sometimes they hurt at the slightest touch of clothing.
Sometimes, this could be a problem for moms who are breastfeeding their children, as they experience pain or great discomfort at the time of taking. So much so that some decide to wean without anticipating Because the pain is not bearable.
Although breast tenderness increases during pregnancy, not all women experience such severe pain, so there are many who decide to continue breastfeeding. In any case, These discomforts usually decrease as pregnancy progresses.
Second quarter: production decline
Although the eldest son often sucks, between the third and fourth month of gestation there is a drop in milk production due to the changes that the chest undergoes to adapt to the future baby.
When the nursing child is of a certain age, he could express in words this drop in production, but if he is still a baby, the mother may begin to notice more irascible when breastfeeding or even begin to give signs of rejecting the chest.
According to the association Alba Lactancia, 60 percent of children are weaned during pregnancy and of them, more than a third do so between the third and fourth month of gestation.The remaining 40 percent of children who continue to breastfeed do so without milk (or leaving very little), simply by being in contact with their mother. In these cases, from LactApp they advise that if the nursing child is less than one year old, supplement with milk formula.
Third trimester: colostrum appears
During the third trimester of pregnancy the woman's chest begins to produce colostrum, thinking about the baby that is about to be born. This always happens, regardless of whether the oldest child continues to breastfeed or not.
The mother may appreciate the colostrum in the form of small transparent drops, but in many cases it is her son who warns of his presence, expressing his disagreement with the change of flavor that suddenly begins to experience when breastfeeding (slightly salty).
The laxative effect of colostrum should also be taken into account, which could cause the child's depositions to vary in quantity (more abundant) and consistency (more liquid).
Your baby is already born: breastfeeding in tandem
When the baby is born you will start a new stage called tandem breastfeeding, in which your milk will feed both your newborn and your eldest son.
At this time it is normal that you have certain doubts about the production, the type of milk you have, or how you should proceed to feed your children. We tell you what you should keep in mind:
Will I have milk rise?
Even if you have maintained breastfeeding during pregnancy, when your baby is born you will also have a rise in milk, although this will occur more quickly. In addition, you will have the advantage that your oldest child can help you to decongest the chest.
Experts say that in cases of breastfeeding in tandem the newborn usually gains weight faster, and normally no growth crisis is observed in its first months.
Your oldest son does not "steal" colostrum from his brother
You are likely to hear someone tell you that if you breastfeed your older child when your baby is born, he will be stealing the precious colostrum. But it is a myth, one of all those around breastfeeding.
You should know that your breasts will produce enough colostrum to assure the newborn, and incidentally, the colostrum taken by your oldest child will be an important injection of immunity.
Other important data to consider
For some mothers, breastfeeding during pregnancy can cause certain unpleasant feelings or even rejection of their older child. Experts say that it is a normal feeling, and that in some occasions it could even increase as the pregnancy progresses.
If you are going through this phase it is It is recommended that you go to a breastfeeding group or put yourself in the hands of an advisor, to offer you guidelines that help you to take the situation in the best possible way.
When should breastfeeding be suspended?
Breastfeeding during a pregnancy that is developing normally does not cause abortions or premature births.However, it should be known that breast suction stimulates the production of oxytocin, which may cause contractions of the uterus. In general, these contractions are not a problem, since the duration of blood oxytocin after suction is very short.
But There are certain circumstances why the doctor might recommend you to stop breastfeeding. As we read in this article of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, these assumptions would be:
- Twin pregnancies
- High risk pregnancies
- Vaginal bleeding
- Threats of abortion or premature delivery
- Lack of adequate increase in body weight during pregnancy
In short, and unless the doctor indicates otherwise, continuing to breastfeed during pregnancy is a decision that depends exclusively on you and your oldest child.
Photos | iStock, Mothering touch on Flickr
