Am I Pregnant? Do I Need to Stop Nursing?

My period did not return until 11 months after delivery. However, I know you can get pregnant even if your period has not returned. I had a friend who got pregnant when her son was just two months old, who she was nursing exclusively. She did not even know until she felt the new baby kick! She just thought she was having a hard time losing her baby weight and not getting a period because she was nursing. What a surprise! Anyway, nursing while you are pregnant with another one is no big deal, but I know your production can drop once you hit the second trimester. Good luck.

I was able to continue nursing while pregnant without a problem. About the time I was 5 mo along I would get really uncomfortable nursing (I think just the growing belly, etc) and wanted to wean the nursing baby but she was around 12-14 months at that time so she was really ready. If you are pregnant, I would just keep nursing and watch your nutrition and water intake and your baby will certainly tell you if he isn't getting enough!

First off, you should know that breastfeeding while pregnant can put you at risk for premature labor because nipple stimulation during your last months can bring on labor. It's a small risk, but it can happen. But if you want to continue nursing, I don't feel there is anything wrong with that. Especially if your son doesn't want to quit.
I had my first period 10 months into BF-ing, but it didn't become regular until a couple months later.
I hear it is possible for milk production to decrease if you become pregnant. I have no experience with BF-ing while pregnant, so I'm not sure how you would be able to identify that.
Good luck with whatever happens!

I nursed my daughter for 9 months and never had a cycle. I started supplementing formula for 2 of her feedings in the middle of the day, and had similar symptoms of pregnancy, after confirming my suspicions with a test I chose to quit nursing. You however do not have to do that. "They" the experts in books, say that you can nurse while pregnant just be sure to eat healthy food, take your pre-natal vitamins and watch your milk production. It may decrease, and due to hormones the flavor may change causing your baby to reject breast milk. That is all the info I have. Good luck.

I nursed my first baby all the way through my pregnancy with my second and we did fine. I would say to make sure your eating good and getting all your vitimins. I didnt get enough calcium and it did a number on my teeth. I was told that you body will pull what it need from where ever it can get it. Also the taste of your milk might change alittle, so you might notice you baby getting a little fussy at first.
Oh yeah also I had planned to nurse both babies together but when i went into deliver my daughter, my son caught a virus or somthing so Drs adviced me not to nurse him because i might get my newborn sick. It was pretty hard for the little guy to have his mommy go away then come back with a new baby who by the way was on his TiTi and he couldnt have any. Well good luck, hope i helped.

Hey, J.:)
I had the same questions when I recently became pregant. I never expected to be nursing this long anyway, but due to allergies, etc...I am! You certainly DO NOT need to stop nursing. The woman's body is amazing at adjusting. Your production will not decrease (maybe the opposite eventually). Just be sure you are getting plenty of good calories and nutrients to support the two taxing jobs you are doing (IF you are pregnant!). I will say that this is the first time nursing has been the least bit uncomfortable for me (sore nips, OW!). By the way, this info was imparted to me by several physicians, dieticians, and lactation consultants (all of whom have worked with me in the past), so it is not just "my opinion." Best of luck to you...either way it turns out!!

ONe more thing...I read some of the other responses, and I advise you not to be scared about premature labor. This is true only if you are in specific high risk categories. Talk to your OB if you're worried:)

My OB said it is perfectly safe and to take extra calcium for me. She said the milk changed so a lot of babies wean themselves while you are pregnant anyway. My son hasn't and if he doesn't I will worry about that then, but he does not nurse nearly as much so I think the milk has changed somewhat.

The time of return is a bit different for each woman. My friend's period started again fairly quickly after her babies. I usually go a year without one.
If you are pregnant, you can still nurse. There is many a woman who has nursed through pregnancies. You can still nurse your older child after a new baby. Sometimes it makes adding a new one easier on the first child. My #4 was still nursing (not exclusively) until a couple of months after her sister was born. I'm sure there are other factors, but there is the least amount of sibling rivalry between those two.
Your production may temporarily decrease, but you'll probably be OK.

Every woman is different in how their body responds to being pregnant. I never had milk supply issues until I got pregnant when my little one was about 6 months old. I didn't dry up, but I definitely had less which frustrated her. I kept nursing until she gave up all her nursing times. She dropped one at a time (lunchtime, then breakfast a week or so late, then dinner, then the right before bedtime one, and finally the one in the middle of the night). You will need to ask your ob for recommendations on supplements and diet if you are nursing and pregnant. Mine recommended a calcium supplement in addition to my prenatal. You will also be more thirsty. Send me a message if you have more questions.

Good luck!

I'm not pregnant but I do nurse my daughter and it took me 9 months after she was born before I started my period again. Some people don't start at all until they're done nursing and some start right away. I'm still waiting for mine to be on a schedule again! haha! I also know that a lot of mothers continue to breast feed their baby after they get pregnant again. As long as your milk supply is still enough to satisfy him then you'll be ok. There may be some vitamins you can take also, but I wouldn't worry too much. And congrats on the new edition if there is one! haha ;)

You can totally nurse while pregnant! And, nursing in no way keeps you from getting pregnant. Every woman is different, like someone already said, and your cycle could just be "off course" for a while then get back to normal. I've never gone without a cycle after delivery (darn!) and my cycles have changed after each birth. I'm currently preggo with #4 and nursing #3 (11 mo. old) about twice a day.

Here's a great article from Parenting.com on the subject:
http://www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-safe-to-continue-brea...