728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Expert Q&A › Parenting Styles › I am pregnant with my second child and would like to keep nursing my 20-month-old. Is this possible?

Expert Q&A

 

By Melissa Clark Vickers
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Moms & Babies Huntingdon, Tenn.

I am pregnant with my second child and would like to keep nursing my 20-month-old. Is this possible? Is there anything special I should do duringthe pregnancy?

Many women choose to continue nursing an older sibling throughout anotherpregnancy and beyond. They find it easier than trying to wean a child whojust isn't ready to wean -- and who may sense that something is going onwithmom. Your continuing to nurse just helps your older child know that all'sright with the world!

There has been concern in the past about whether nursing while pregnantcould trigger uterine contractions and therefore early miscarriages. Theresearch really doesn't back this up. Unless you are at high risk formiscarriage or preterm deliveries, there shouldn't be any medical reasonnot to continue.

Your body will make your developing baby the number one priority, so youdon't have to worry that your first child will somehow deprive the fetus ofessential nutrients.

A couple of things you may notice:

  1. Your breasts may be more sensitive while you are pregnant, and thereforemay make nursing more uncomfortable. This can be especially true with thetoddler who nurses "on the run" or while doing acrobatics in your lap. Tryto be as careful about positioning as you can, and if your nipples shouldget sore, you can use an ultra pure lanolin such as Lansinoh after nursingto help heal and protect them. (It doesn't have to be washed off before younurse again.)

  2. Some women notice a natural drop in their milk supply during pregnancy,and their milk may even taste a little saltier. This only matters if itmatters to your older child. Often, an older toddler will naturally weanduring a pregnancy because of this. If he isn't ready to wean, chances arethat won't faze him!

Once your new baby arrives, you can still continue to nurse both. Just makethe new baby the top priority -- feed him first so he gets what he needs.Andyou can use that time to cuddle with your older child and give him somespecial attention.

Check out your local La LecheLeague group to find other moms who arenursing through pregnancies and tandem nursing as well.

Related Expert Q&A

More Answers by this Expert

View more Q&A by this Expert