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 -----
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)
