Is Breastfeeding while pregnant Safe

By Angela Young

If you're considered continue to breastfeed your infant while pregnant there are a few things to consider. The first thing to take into consideration is healthy eating and fluids. You need more fluids and to maintain both a pregnancy and nourish your breastfed baby. When you combine the two you need to bump up both your fluids and nutrients. Another thing to take into consideration is that breastfeeding can cause uterine contractions to occur. This may or may not be a concern for you.

If you have a past of preterm labor or other complications, you may want to decide not to breastfeed during pregnancy. If you're experiencing bleeding or contractions during your current pregnancy, you may be advised against breastfeeding. You should also note that the shift in pregnancy hormones can affect your milk production which could lead to supplementation or the need to wean your infant. 

Consider the other symptoms that come with pregnancy and how they could affect your breastfeeding experience. Some of these symptoms include soreness of breasts, nipple tenderness, fatigue and others. These all affect your level of comfort. If you are considering breastfeeding both babies after delivery, you may need to bring in additional support from family, friends and a lactation consultant.

The bottom line is, it is generally safe to continue to breastfeed while pregnant. As long as your pregnancy continues without complication you should be able to supply all three of you with everything needed to be healthy. Keep a close eye on your dietary habits and increase your fluids to avoid a decrease in production and overwhelming fatigue. If you ever experience any new symptoms in your pregnancy, feel your infant isn't getting the nutrients she needs or are concerned about your baby, contact your health care provider immediately.

You know what is best for you and your children. Follow your instinct when it comes to how your body feels, the nutrition your child is getting and how your fetus is growing. These are all essential to make this triad work.