Breastfeeding in Pregnancy

 20 Weeks Pregnant
My first blog while pregnant!!!! So, I’m 20 weeks pregnant now with my 3rd baby, Half way. These are the weeks where, I’m feeling good, energetic and sometimes can forget I am pregnant (for a moment, mind) until my expanding bump gets in the way,  as feeling pretty good.
Totally, I know I am lucky to feel so good in my pregnancies, as some women can suffer the whole way through their pregnancy.

First Trimester
In the first trimester (first 12 weeks), I did felt pretty crap. Nauseous and sooooo tired. This was new to me…symptoms alot more pronounced in this pregnancy.  I put it down to having 2 young, energetic boys, Oisín who was coming up to his 4th birthday and Daniel was 15 -17 months for my first trimester. I am working in a busy General Practice Surgery two and half days so, early starts and home about 6ish. Days off are busy. My hubby is a dairy farmer so, pretty busy 7 days a week.
So, you can see where I’m going …no rest..different to my first pregnancy, you can rest when you want, second pregnancy, you can rest, when first child is sleeping (if they are still napping which Oisín was) but this time, full on!!!

Feeding a Toddler
Daniels schedule at this age was having a feed, before he went to bed and would wake maybe once or twice a night for a quick feed. On my days off, when I’m at home he may have another feed. If he needed comforting, he likes a feed. Within minutes, he’s settled and comforted. I did notice, feeding him, was getting that bit more uncomfortable for me. When he latched on, I was very aware of the sensitivity. I knew and understood this may happen and it was fine. A little uncomfortable, I would say more nipple soreness but I just went with it. Also, my milk had started to dwindle too so, feeds were a lot shorter. He was always an efficient feeder so, feeds were pretty quick. So, all of the above is normal in early pregnancy. It is nature’s way of putting the needs of the growing fetus first but nursing during pregnancy doesn’t affect the fetus.

Second Trimester
Now that I’m past that first trimester, the nausea and tiredness has definitely passed and I’m feeling great again. I had 3 weeks holiday at the start of my second trimester (12-24) so, the boys were loving having Mammy at home for this length of time. Daniel fed a lot more during these 3 weeks. The uncomfortable feeling eased slightly and the nipple sensitivity got better. I did notice my milk supply increased a little, as he was feeding for a bit longer.  But now a month on, my supply has dwindled again and he is feeding just before bed and he is sleeping a lot of the nights now so, were obviously missing out on those feeds too. Also, his appetite has shot through the roof. He always had a big appetite but his bowl of porridge is as big as mine now! Looking for more food throughout the day so, that’s how I know too my supply has dwindled. I don’t hear much swallowing of milk now but he still looks to latch on and that is perfectly fine. If he is tired during the day or needs comforting, it’s the first thing he looks for. He has no name on it, doesn’t call it anything, just comes up, sits on my knee and snuggles in or pats my chest.

Had I a plan?
I never really had a plan or questioned breastfeeding, even before i breastfed my first boy Oisín.
​For me it is the most natural thing in the world. I never even questioned it. And, it was exactly the same, when I found out I was pregnant. To me, it was a natural thing to do. I got pregnant when breastfeeding so, why not continue. I have being lucky to have 2 healthy pregnancies in the past. And yes, I have had 2 miscarriages too. My first miscarriage at 11 weeks, where I had a missed miscarriage. I lost twins. I then had a consecutive early miscarriage at 6 weeks. And I wasn’t breastfeeding so, these things happen unfortunately. Yes, they were hard times and I have had a healthy pregnancy with Daniel and this pregnancy is healthy . So, there is no reason why it is not safe during pregnancy but obviously if it is a high risk pregnancy, do consult someone. In countries where breastfeeding rates are high, breastfeeding in pregnancy and tandem nursing is normal.
We will continue as long as Daniel wants to…it may end very soon or he may continue to latch when he wants to. I’m just going to go with the flow and enjoy his cuddles when he does want to feed. It’s a new journey for me and I’m taking it one day at a time and we're enjoying it. As a Lactation Consultant, I am a lot more knowledgeable now, than before I qualified but that still doesn’t let me make the decision on when my little man ends his breastfeeding journey. It’s entirely his decision and I respect that.


Orla Dorgan
Practice Nurse & Lactation Consultant
(RGN, IBCLC)
 

‘Supporting Mums, Dads & their baby to breastfeed successfully’

Every Mum is a perfect mum to her baby and 
there is usually no reason why you cannot breastfeed
Just ask for help
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