Breastfeeding during pregnancy: is it possible?

Are you breastfeeding and realize you are expecting a baby?

This situation is not that rare and there are many questions that arise when you find yourself in a similar situation.

Is it safe to breastfeed during pregnancy? Are there any consequences for the fetus? How should I behave with the older child? Can I breastfeed two children together?

Here we will try to clarify some doubts but the final decision to breastfeed or not during pregnancy is ultimately very personal.

It’s safe?

Breastfeeding while pregnant can cause slight uterine contractions due to oxytocin.

Oxytocin is a hormone that sends signals to the breast tissue to contract and eject milk (milk ejection reflex). Oxytocin also stimulates uterine contractions. After delivery, this hormone helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy state. This means that breastfeeding women during pregnancy may have uterine contractions although they can often be too mild to notice.
There are some studies in the literature that have shown that for the first 38 weeks of a healthy pregnancy (a complete pregnancy is 40 weeks), the uterus takes countermeasures to prevent the effects of oxytocin on the uterus itself.

In addition, less oxytocin is released during pregnancy in response to nipple stimulation than before or in end-stage pregnancy or after pregnancy. This means that breastfeeding can be safe during pregnancies that proceed without problems especially before 38 weeks  because oxytocin is generally released in a small amount during breastfeeding and is not sufficient to cause premature labor. These contractions are also harmless to the fetus and rarely increase the chance of having a miscarriage. Also, although a small amount of pregnancy hormones pass into the milk, these hormones do not pose a risk to the baby.

While breastfeeding during pregnancy is generally considered safe, there are some instances where weaning the older child is recommended.

Weaning of the older child is recommended:

• when it comes to a pregnancy with complications or when there is a risk of preterm birth
• when it comes to a twin pregnancy
• when you have bleeding  or pain in the uterus

Obviously, before making any decision, always refer to your doctor.

Is the baby ready to wean?

Typically, milk production decreases between the fourth and fifth months of pregnancy and an important aspect to consider is that the older baby is ready to wean.

Weaning, according to WHO indications, should be started no earlier than 6 months old. There are children who, however, have longer times and children who could be ready sooner (on the pediatrician’s recommendation).

In any case it is important that the child is fed correctly, taking into account his needs and feelings.

The difficulties and the increase in caloric intake

While breastfeeding while pregnant may have its benefits, it can also present major challenges.

They can increase nausea, nipple pain, and tiredness.

Fatigue is a component of all pregnancies and breastfeeding during pregnancy requires an additional expenditure of energy.

This is why it is important to rest adequately (also taking advantage of breastfeeding moments to do so) and eat in the right way for your own health and that of the baby you are carrying.

The extra calorie intake depends on how much your baby has . You will need 500 calories more if the baby is weaning and therefore already eating solid foods in addition to breast milk, or 650 calories more if the baby is less than 6 months old.

These calories are in addition to the 350 extra calories needed during the second trimester and the 450 extra calories needed during the third trimester.

To breastfeed or not while pregnant?

It depends on your state of health, the needs of the unborn child and those of the child already born, not to mention your feelings.

It’s not an easy choice, evaluate all the pros and cons and obviously don’t forget to seek advice from your trusted doctor who should always be consulted in these delicate situations.

Tandem breastfeeding

There are mothers who manage to breastfeed both children once the baby is born. Obviously it is important that the newborn receives all the milk necessary for its growth. Based on the timing, the eldest should already be dealing with solid foods so his nutritional needs are clearly different. It is therefore possible, once milk production has stabilized, to breastfeed both together or at different times depending on the balance you manage to give to the new situation.