Breastfeeding during pregnancy?

I recently found out that I am expecting our third child, and our second child is just 6 months old.  She is also still breastfeeding, which I am hoping to continue until a year.  However, I have been unable to find much information on the nutritional requirements to continue to do this. I still had not lost all of my pregnancy weight, so I only want to gain the recommended 25 lbs this time around, yet still maintain enough calories to feed both kids.  Prepregnancy I am 5'11.5" and between 160-170 lbs.

[sallystar]

I don't know much about this topic...but I've seen a lot of women post on here that their milk dries up when they become pregnant again - and that's one of the symptoms that you are indeed pregnant again.  I'm not sure if it's possible to continue breastfeeding while pregnant.  I'll be interested in hearing the answer to this - I'm sure someone else will have some more information for you!  

[Tamara551]

I have heard of women breastfeeding while pregnant.  I got a question on this subject though.  I have always heard that you shouldn't have nipple stimulation during pregnancy because that can cause contractions.  If you are breast feeding isn't that considered nipple stimulation?  Or is nipple stimulation only after a certain time in pregnancy that it causes harm.  I have always wondered, so I thought I would ask.

[taysmommy]

you can breast feed while your pregnant, you just need to let your dr. know (no brainer i know) so they can keep an eye on the babies growth, a friend of mine got pregnant when her son was 5 months old and was able to continue breastfeeding until she was 6 months pregnant, at that time the dr. noticed the baby was a little on the small size and recomened she stop, she didnt have any problems with contractions because her body was used to the stimulation i assume, and her new baby (well shes 8 months now) is perfectly healthy

it doesnt always work out this way, i would recommend contacting a lactation consultant, or le letche for more information, but it is possible!

i dont know if a lot of peoples milk dries up, but i stopped breastfeeding when my dd was 13 months old, i think i got pregnant when she was 12 months, (im currently 6 months prego) and i still have my milk, so for me mine didnt dry up,

[mum2beagain]

http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/bfpregnant.html

The above link has information about breast feeding whilst pregnant

Whilst it certainly is possible to nurse whilst pregnant you should have your 6 months olds weight monitored carefully, if she stops gaining weight you may need to supplement with some formula.

As for the contractions Tamara the above link has some info on that too.

hope this heps.

[AnnieBrooke]

My sister breastfed all through a subsequent pregnancy.  No problems.  It wasn't the sole source of food for the breastfed child, however.

[ashmama]

I became pregnant again when my son was nine months old. I breastfed up until I was five months pregnant. My milk did change, but he was eating solids also. He actually self weaned because the milk was different. During the first trimester my milk was normal, and my supply was ok as long as I ate and drank normally. I'm also 5'11, normally about 155lbs. With this pregnancy I gained 45lbs, and my baby was bigger than my first baby. So I don't think that breastfeeding during pregnancy was a problem. My Dr. did suggest that I stop once I found out I was expecting, but I continued. I made sure I took my vitamins, ate well, and drank lots of fluids. I also didn't gain any weight in the first trimester, and my Dr. was concerned at each visit. But I wasn't worried. Like I said by the time I delivered I was 45lbs larger.

GL!