Re: [ozmidwifery] breastfeeding whilst pregnant?

[James & Stephanie Fairbairn]

To Rochelle, I have been in a simlar situation to you ( or your sister) i was still b/f my second when i fell preg. with no 3 and - yes it was tiring, but probably more so as no 2 was only 9 months old and was feeding voraciously! However, I was glad to keep going as the b'feeding sessions made you sit  or lie down for at least 1/2hr throughout the day so I suppose it was like enforced rest! I was very wary of the morning sickness really making the whole routine a nightmare, but was amazed to get to week 14 with no symptoms of sickness at all (except for having to eat small meals all day!) After the sickness I had with the first 2 preg. I put the relief in the 3rd down to hormonal balancing due to the lactating hormones which has some bearing on the sick feeling. Maybe I wouldn't have been sick anyway, but the 3rd preg (in 3 years!) was definately easier toi cope with at the beginning. I agree with you that you need to keep the water intake up, but i would avoid drinking lots of cows milk, firstly it has no bearing on your own milk prod. and secondly it is likely to produce an intolerant reaction to a b'feeding child - maybe even a growning baby too. We were just not built to metabolise cow protein. Also, while I'm on my soap box, drinking loads of milk does NOT prevent osteoporosis - in fact it may make it worse as the combinations of minerals in the milk serve to leach the calcium from the body even though milk actually contains a quantity of calcium itself - the result is a small net loss. Calcium is available in lots of veg sources and tinned fish containing bones. Anyway, that was a bit of a side line, as no 2 baby went on to feed up to my 4th month of preg and then weaned off himself. I don't know if he found the taste changed, or just got fed up and wanted to eat his own food!! (interestingly all my 3 came off the breast between 12 - 14 months 'by themselves' ) I foound that the only 'weak link' in the feeding chain while preg was mum being v. tired! - the milk supply was not compromised and no additional fluids were needed for the baby. You just need to make sure you eat maybe 5 - 6 meals a day and drink plenty of water - as you said. If you are concerned about supplying milk if your first will not / weans off the breast, I would say (and speaking as anutritionist here) from about 18 months babies do not need nutritionally speaking - to drink milk subsitutes - ie. cows milk / artifical formula milk etc. They will recieve all the nutrition they need from other food sources. It just seems to go together - a baby and a bottle of milk!! You will probably find they do not like the taste of cows milk anyway after 16month of b'feeding - they can do without it - in fact you will avoid biulding up the poss. of allergies and gut problems. ( in yog and cheese the constituents are different to straight milk and do no have the same effect). As I have said on this list sometime in the past - Cows milk is best for baby cows - and human milk is best for human babies!!! - surprisingly enough.... : > )   As for the colostrum issue when the new baby arrives, I did not go through that, but there will certainly be enough to go around as it would be if there were multiples - twins or triplets etc. I do know of a lady from an antenatal class a while back who fed her newborn and 2 year old in the delivery room!!! - So moving for everyone, esp. as the 2year old starter patting her new sister on the cheek and giggling!!!   It can be hard to juggle at first, but have heard very positive reports of the old worry of sibling rivalry being allayed esp during feeding times as they both get a look in!   Good luck! Stephanie in Adelaide CBE ----- Original Message ----- From: Timothy Haughan To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, August 02, 2002 11:37 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] breastfeeding whilst pregnant? Dear List, My name is Rochelle, I am a newcomer to this fabulous forum. I was wondering what advice anyone might have in relation to breastfeeding whilst pregnant with the next bubba. My sister in law and myself are both brestfeeding our 16 month old girls, however my sister in law is 16 weeks pregnant with their second baby. I know some days I feel completely shagged from feeding so I can't imagine how I would be feeding plus growing a new bubba. My sister in law is dedicated to feeding the first, possibly until after the new baby arrives. We have discussed a number of issues around tandem feeding. We were wondering what health implications feeding through pregnancy may have for her, the 16 month old or the growing baby, what could/should she be doing to ensure optimum health for all. The eldest is eating a very balanced solid foods diet and can go lengthy periods without feeds, they are currently trying to eliminate (without weaning completely) feeding off to sleep at night and any night feeds to make it a bit easier on mum.   I have suggested she up her water in take, ensure a very healthy balanced diet rich in  protein, carbohydrates and good fats, exercise, keep an eye on her iron levels and take a pregnancy/breastfeeding vitamin supplement.   Also, can anyone tell us what will happen to the milk supply after the baby is born? Will colostrum be supplied for the new babe? and then will her milk come in as it would if she hadn't been feeding? Is the eldest likely to refuse the colostrum?   Any advice in relation to any part of the above will be greatly appreciated. Thank You. Rochelle (Adelaide)