Getting Pregnant while nursing

Kristen - posted on 05/02/2009

I got my period when my son was 9 months and wanted to get pregnant, but didn't until a month after I weaned him at a year.

Stasia - posted on 05/02/2009

Breastfeeding as birth control is not just a myth, IF you do it correctly. During the day gaps should not be longer than three hours, and no more than 5 at night. This being said, If you are TRYING to get pregnant, try encouraging night weaning for eight hours at a time, this way your body can get back into its natural rythem. i did this and got pregnant with a nine month old recently

Allison - posted on 05/02/2009

The typically "nursing rule" with regards to breastfeeding as birth control is that you have to be exclusively nursing, going no more than 4 hours between feedings, no supplementation of formula or cereal, have not had your periods return, and your baby be under 6 months old. If any of these is not true, you can conceive as your body could ovulate. Now many women are not able to get pregnant while nursing, especially if baby is still nursing often, as the hormones are still kinda screwy. My periods retuned at 10 months, but even though we were trying to conceive, it took 7 months to get pregnant. Some women get pregnant much sooner.

Yes, you can nurse while pregnant. I am currently 39 weeks pregnant and my 2 year old is still nursing. I plan on tandem nursing once the baby arrives. There is a good chance that your milk supply will dip or stop early in pregnancy, but as long as your baby is over 1 year, you won't need to supplement formula for nutrition. Many babies/toddlers will continue to nurse even when there isn't a lot or any milk, though some will wean at that time. There's a great book called Adventures in Tandem Nursing that has a lot of good information about pregnancy and nursing.

Good luck!

Elizabeth - posted on 05/02/2009

Thank you SO much for the great news! I didn't even think about being able to nurse while pregnant too! My husband and I are very excited and appreciate your help!

Wendy - posted on 05/01/2009

Here is a great article "Breastfeeding and Fertility" by Kathy Dettwyler PH.D (http://www.kathydettwyler.org/detfert.ht...). You should also consider reading "Taking Charge of your Fertility" by Toni Weschler, MPH (http://books.google.com/books?id=2i5g41L...). Both sources will give you the information you need and are absolutely WODERFUL reads!

Kathy - posted on 05/01/2009

Yep..I got pregnant with #4 while nursing #3. Getting pregnant does not mean you need to stop nursing, though. You can nurse 2 babies if you (and your little one) so desire. Of course, a lot of babies wean when you're pregnant b/c the taste of your milk changes. My son weaned at about 14 months when I was about 5 months pregnant. Good luck :)

Carmela - posted on 05/01/2009

Yes you can definitely get pregnant while breastfeeding - your hormones are so out of whack you just don't know when you are ovulating - - also you can still nurse while pregnant as well - are you concerned about that?? Good luck:)

Jennifer - posted on 05/01/2009

The thought behind the MYTH that you cannot get pregnant while breastfeeding is that breastfeeding will frequently stop ovulation. I've never been so lucky. With all 3 of my kids my periods started 6 weeks after delivery, even with nursing around the clock. Now that you've gotten your periods back you're most certainly ovulating, so go for it! If you are ready that is.

Cari - posted on 05/01/2009

I did, Julianna was conceived while I was breast feeding my son, they are 19 months a part, it is a myth that you will not get pregnant