Is It Safe to Breastfeed During Pregnancy?

When I received a positive pregnancy test while my first daughter was just 9 months old, I was filled with excitement and immediately called my OB-GYN to share the news. However, the response I received was unexpected. “Stop breastfeeding,” she told me, and dutifully, I weaned my daughter that very night.

A week later, I experienced a miscarriage, a loss that left me mourning not only the baby I had expected but also the nursing relationship I had prematurely ended with my daughter. It led me to question why my OB-GYN had advised me to wean my child at that time, even if the pregnancy had continued. This experience marked the beginning of a journey that drastically changed my perspective on nursing during pregnancy.

In fact, if I am fortunate enough to become pregnant while still breastfeeding in the future, I would now choose to continue the nursing relationship. I might even consider embracing the concept of “tandem nursing” after the new baby arrives.

One question that often comes to mind is why so few visibly pregnant individuals are seen breastfeeding. The answer, it turns out, lies in the potential pain associated with nursing during pregnancy. According to Wendy Haldeman, one of the founders of The Pump Station in Los Angeles, it can indeed be painful to breastfeed during the first trimester. “The nipple soreness is just something the mother has to endure,” she explained. “Some can handle it, while others find it too painful to continue.”

Local mothers who have attempted nursing while pregnant shared similar experiences. Amanda, a local mom, recalled, “By the time I was about two months pregnant, nursing became excruciatingly painful. I almost cried every time I went to nurse; it hurt so bad. I ended up weaning my son at that point.”

Milk supply can also be affected. Haldeman noted, “My experience is that if the first baby is over a year old, the milk supply is not as much of a concern. Infants under 9 months of age frequently need to be supplemented with formula because the mother simply can’t produce enough milk.”

The dynamics of breast milk composition during pregnancy further contribute to the considerations surrounding breastfeeding. According to the book “Breastfeeding for Dummies” by Sharon Perkins, RN, and Carol Vannais, RN, it’s worth noting that there is a noteworthy shift in breast milk composition as pregnancy progresses. Somewhere within the timeframe of four to eight months into the pregnancy, the breast milk begins transitioning from mature milk back to colostrum, which is the initial type of milk provided to newborns. This shift in milk composition can result in a noticeable difference in taste compared to mature milk. Consequently, your baby may exhibit a reduced interest in this newly introduced menu item, potentially initiating the gradual process of weaning.

This intriguing insight highlights the dynamic nature of breastfeeding during pregnancy, underlining the importance of closely monitoring your child’s responses and preferences as part of the decision-making process regarding breastfeeding continuity. It’s essential to adapt to these changes with sensitivity and consideration for both your baby’s evolving needs and your own health and comfort throughout this unique phase of motherhood.

Considering the potential pain and changes in milk supply, the question arises: Is breastfeeding while pregnant safe from a medical perspective? According to Pamela Berens, MD, an associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at the University of Texas Health Science Center, in most circumstances, breastfeeding can be continued during an uncomplicated pregnancy.

Moreover, it’s crucial to heed the guidance of your healthcare provider regarding sexual activity during pregnancy. Dr. Berens emphasized that if your healthcare provider has explicitly advised against engaging in sexual intercourse during pregnancy, it might be prudent to reevaluate your decision to continue breastfeeding as well. This is because both orgasm and breastfeeding can stimulate the release of oxytocin, a hormone known to induce uterine contractions. Dr. Berens cautioned that the heightened levels of oxytocin could potentially pose a concern for individuals at risk of preterm labor or those with specific medical conditions that warrant caution during pregnancy. Therefore, it’s imperative to have open and honest discussions with your healthcare provider to ensure the safety and well-being of both you and your unborn child throughout the course of your pregnancy.

Dr. Berens suggested that individuals with a history of preterm labor, placenta previa, or a “classical” C-section uterine incision should consider weaning. However, these concerns typically arise later in pregnancy, so there is usually no need for abrupt weaning during the first trimester.

She also recommended that people with severe hypertension (high blood pressure), severe vascular or renal disease, or a prior “growth-restricted” infant consider weaning. This recommendation is based on a limited body of research suggesting that infants born to mothers who breastfed during pregnancy may have slightly reduced birth weights.

While there is currently no scientific research that definitively suggests an increased risk of miscarriage in individuals who choose to continue breastfeeding during pregnancy, it’s worth noting that Dr. Berens has suggested that those who experience bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy may want to carefully consider the option of weaning. However, it’s crucial to emphasize the importance of confirming the pregnancy’s viability through medical evaluation. If it is determined that the pregnancy has already miscarried or is deemed “non-viable,” meaning that no fetus has developed or that there is no detectable heartbeat, then there may be no tangible benefit to initiating the weaning process.

Reflecting upon my own personal experiences and the invaluable insights I have gained, I have come to understand that if I were to find myself pregnant while still engaged in breastfeeding in the future, I would approach this situation with significantly more confidence and awareness than before. Equipped with this newfound knowledge, I would be better prepared to make a well-informed decision regarding whether to continue the nursing relationship. In making this decision, I would take into careful consideration not only my own health and well-being but also the well-being and needs of my child. Ultimately, it’s a deeply personal choice that should be made based on one’s unique circumstances and in consultation with medical professionals for the most sound and supportive guidance.