Being pregnant doesn’t mean you have to stop breastfeeding your child. Long ago doctors believed it actually took nutrients away from the baby inside you, however that is not the case. Even today have people that believe this and they will argue with you the entire time. Only you can decide it. Don’t let someone else make that decision for you.
Reasons to Stop
A few reasons you might want to stop breastfeeding may be if you are feeling tired or maybe your child has started to bite. Sometimes your milk will just dry up, this is your body’s way of telling you to take a break. Mastitis could play a big role in making you stop immediately as well. Mastitis is an infection in the breast when it isn’t expressed enough and gets engorged.
Stopping or Weaning
If you do plan on stopping because you are pregnant, make sure it is for the right reasons. If your baby has reached a certain age, it might be best. But never just yank it away from them. Your child could wonder why it is being taken away. Wonder if they had done something or become discouraged about the new baby coming. Some children decide to wean themselves, which is a big help to you and you won’t feel so guilty about it. You can choose to do it cold turkey, or slowly wean him/her off. Cold turkey can have some bad results. Try limiting his/her feeding times to certain hours and gradually take away more. Your child will quickly stop on his/her own and it won’t be a traumatic event.
Continuing to Feed
If you do plan on continuing to breastfeed while you are pregnant, talk with your doctor about it. Not all doctors will agree with your decision. Sometimes he/she may see something in your health. Listen carefully and find out if it is a health reason or simply his/her own belief. If it is the doctor’s belief, you can always seek out one that agrees with you. Being pregnant hard enough at times, knows you have someone in your corner will only relieve the stress. Don’t be surprised if your family and friends will probably give you all kind of advice on how to stop and what they’ve read. Nicely explain to them it is your decision and you’ll do what you think is best for your children. Try finding a support group in your area so you have someone to vent to or talk about these issues. Check out if there is a La Leche League near you or online that you can join.
Remember you’ll be able to safely breastfeed while pregnant if you take proper care of yourself and your body.
