Can I continue breastfeeding if I am pregnant?

In life, some female friends may become pregnant again less than a year after giving birth. At this time, the newborn has not yet been weaned, and there is a need to supplement the next generation. We do not need to wean, and we can still breastfeed, but the requirements for breast milk are relatively high, and more nutrients need to be supplemented. Because the mother has not fully recovered after giving birth, getting pregnant again will increase the burden and is not conducive to the development of the next baby.

Can I continue breastfeeding while pregnant?

It is recommended that pregnant mothers who are breastfeeding should breastfeed first. Although mothers will still secrete breast milk during pregnancy, the milk secreted during this period is not only not suitable for the baby to suck for nutritional supplements, but also is not good for the health of the pregnant mother and the fetus in the womb. Therefore, the answer to the question of whether you can continue breastfeeding if you become pregnant during breastfeeding is no.

Some mothers may ask if it is not okay if they still have plenty of milk during breastfeeding even though they are pregnant? You should know that the abundant milk in the early stages of pregnancy is produced by hormones and reflexes in the mother's body, but as the pregnancy months progress, progesterone and estrogen increase, prolactin will gradually decrease, and milk will become less and less. It can be seen that it is inconvenient to continue breastfeeding during pregnancy.

Similarly, the mother's physical condition not only affects the born baby, but also the unborn baby in the belly to a greater extent. If the fetus in the belly does not get enough nutrition, it may cause fetal malnutrition. If the mother continues to breastfeed, her body will definitely not be able to bear it, and it may even lead to miscarriage.

If a breastfeeding mother insists on breastfeeding, she must ensure her own nutritional supply, otherwise it is best to stop breastfeeding. In addition, if the mother has a history of miscarriage and premature birth, she needs to stop breastfeeding immediately if any discomfort such as increased uterine contractions, abdominal pain, etc. occurs.

How to breastfeed during pregnancy

Although you may feel contractions during breastfeeding, they are a normal part of pregnancy and can also occur during sexual intercourse, and most couples continue to have sex during pregnancy. Currently, there are no clear medical guidelines defining under what circumstances breastfeeding during pregnancy may pose risks, and pregnancy caregivers have different opinions on this issue. If you plan to breastfeed while pregnant, you need to pay attention to the following:

1. You need extra rest during pregnancy

Feeding your baby while lying down during pregnancy will help you get extra rest. Arrange a room that meets the safety requirements of your baby, and feed your baby while lying on a mat or board on the floor. If your baby finishes feeding and goes to play, you can continue to rest. Who knows, you both might drift off to sleep.

2. Adjust the baby's feeding position

Some mothers may experience nipple sensitivity during pregnancy. Carefully positioning your baby for feeding can help. The breathing techniques you learn in birthing classes can help you improve the discomfort caused by increased nipple sensitivity. If feeding your baby makes you tired, breathing techniques can also help. If your baby is old enough to communicate, you can tell him or her to feed more gently or for shorter periods of time. This will help protect your sensitive nipples and relieve some of the fatigue you feel.

3. Observe whether the milk is enough

90% of breastfeeding mothers will experience a decrease in milk supply during pregnancy, but this is not absolute. But you should pay attention to your body's reaction when pumping milk and stop at the right time. Women who breastfeed during pregnancy often find that their milk supply decreases during the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy. If your breastfeeding baby is under one year old, monitor his weight gain to determine if he is getting enough milk. For some mothers, the taste of their breast milk changes during pregnancy. These changes may cause older babies to breastfeed less frequently or to be weaned completely.