Breastfeeding While Pregnant – My Experience

I never dreamed I would be writing a post like this. My first baby refused to breastfeed and I thought for sure I’d be lucky to make it to the 6 month mark with my second baby. Well, at almost 20 months old that second baby is still nursing, and I’m 17 weeks pregnant with number 3. I am successfully breastfeeding while pregnant.

My intentions were to get pregnant once we were through the weaning process. Well, God had other plans. Since I did not breastfeed Bug, weaning Sis is a completely new thing for me, and guess what? It’s a lot harder than I’d hoped.

My parenting philosophy strongly follows an attachment-style parenting philosophy. I don’t believe in forcing children to do anything before they are ready. I have tried going cold turkey with Sis. I have tried telling her no more bubbies, but each time it ends in an unnecessary amount of tears and ripping at my clothes. For now, I am doing other things to slowly, and hopefully wean her from nursing.

I would say that the breast tenderness for me started around 5-6 weeks. Nursing has become increasingly painful. At around 13-14 weeks, I noticed my milk supply was pretty much depleted. I had read that this sometimes prompts toddlers to wean. Well, that’s not the case for my little girl. I just noticed she began requesting milk in her cup much more often.

Like I said, we are in a slow process to wean. During the day, I use distraction to deter her from nursing. It works pretty well. I will get up and give her a cup of milk or juice, or I will try to find a new toy for her to play with, sometimes we will read. I notice as long as I’m not sitting down, she doesn’t ask to nurse. I haven’t quite figured out how we are going to wean from nursing at naps and bedtime. That will be my biggest challenge.

I have really been wrestling with my feelings about nursing here lately. I know it’s a beautiful experience and so, so good for mamas and babies. Unfortunately, I can’t help that I have some negative feelings about it right now. Sometimes I just don’t want to be touched. I long to wear some regular bras and shirts that aren’t stretched out. I have no desire whatsoever to breastfeed my toddler and newborn at the same time. That’s just me. I really want my toddler completely weaned by two just to give me a little break before the new baby comes.

I’m pretty sure having some negative feelings about it is normal. After nearly two years of nursing and becoming pregnant for a third time, I feel like I don’t own my own body anymore! I do what I feel is best for my babies, but I also need to take my own feelings into consideration. A slow and steady weaning for my toddler before the birth of baby number 3 is the way to go for me. Wish me luck!

Have you breastfed a baby or toddler while pregnant? What is your experience with weaning?

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