Tandem Nursing

Hi everyone,

DD is now 10 months old, still gets about 80% of her nourishment from my milk, DH & I are contemplating baby #2. (I've been ovulating since DD was 5 months, even with the BFing.) I always said I wanted to nurse DD for at least a year and then see what happens after that. Now I'm considering nursing through pregnancy and then tandem nursing.

I'm concerned about being able to continue to nurse DD if I get pregnant now. I know it's safe for all involved as long as I keep my nutrition up, but I'm concerned about 1. my milk drying up while DD still needs it so much, and 2. pain during nursing becoming unbearable.

My questions for those of you have BTDT:

1. How common is it for there to be a significant or total reduction in milk supply?

2. If it happens, at what stage (avg. month) of pregnancy does the milk significantly decline, when does it usually come back?

3. How common is severe nipple/breast pain, how do you deal with it? (I have a pretty high pain tolerance, so I think I may be ok here. let's hope ;) )

TIA!!!
Jennifer

1. How common is it for there to be a significant or total reduction in milk supply?
For most, very common.

2. If it happens, at what stage (avg. month) of pregnancy does the milk significantly decline, when does it usually come back?
I would say second trimester--see Hillary Flowers' book. It starts to come back in the third trimester.

3. How common is severe nipple/breast pain, how do you deal with it? (I have a pretty high pain tolerance, so I think I may be ok here. let's hope ;) )
I think Flowers says about 75% of women have pain. I had it during the entire pregnancy, and previous pregnancies when I nursed (I weaned during those; the pain was less during this pregnancy).

I don't know your age and circumstances, but 10 months is young for a new pregnancy (in my opinion). My first two were 18 months apart, and while there are many advantages, I wouldn't choose to do it again. As far as BF, you also need to consider how you would feel if your nursling, who is still very young, decided on her own to wean because of the change in taste or supply. Also, there are rare complications during pregnancy that might cause you to decide to wean, at least temporarily. Even if everything goes well during the pregnancy, consider the birth and how your toddler will handle any possible separation from you. With a first it's hard to imagine how much your dd will still need you over the next year. Anyway, I think it's great that you're thinking about these issues now! Good luck whatever you decide!

Hannah