Extended breastfeeding moms only: about planning another baby?
Originally I though using natural child spacing would work for me, but then I got my period back at 5 months and I realised threatening my sons sole source of food was not something I could or should do.
My son is almost 11 months, and my plan was to wait until 1 year. But most of the time when I think of having another I am thrilled at the prospect and feel guilty at the same time. My son very much still gets most of his nutrition from breastmilk, and he is such a boob man. I also believe he may still have GER that is largely kept under control thanks to the antacid effects of breastmilk. There are also allergies in my family, mostly non-serious but that is another consideration.
Answer:
In my experience babies do not self wean at least not while they are still babies, i breastfed all three of mine for well over a year (closer to two years)and none of them looked even slightly ready give it up.
I don't think that you should feel guilty for wanting to give your child a sibling, eleven months of breasfeeding is great and you should be proud. I also do not think going straight from breastfeeding to pregnancy is the ideal situation. I got pregnant with my thirdborn while breastfeeding my second and i was anemic during that pregnancy.
My plan was to nurse my daughter until she was 1 year. I had it planned out so that as time went on she would nurse less frequently throughout the day so by the time she turned a year she was nursing once a day and she got Goats milk when she wasn't nursing. My husband and I wanted another baby right away. I got my period at 4 months and got pregnant at 8 months. My daughter nursed until she was 10 months then she stopped. She didn't like the change in my milk, it changes back to colostrum. We give my daughter Goats milk because it's the closest to brest milk without all of the crap in it, also my husbands side of the family has a lot of milk allergies. Get pregnant and let him nurse until he decides to stop.
It is safe to breastfeed and be pregnant. You can wean your baby before the new one comes. Go to breastfeeding.com for info.
Go to the le leche league. They can give you many stories and much advice. Many mothers with close spaced children will nurse straight through the pregnancy and continue to nurse both after the birth. As long as you eat a well and get enough fluid you will produce to meet the demand. One story was a woman with one breast who first nursed her twins weaned them, then her third forth and fifth baby all together. Her oldest was five at the time which I personally don't go for but the point is it was never an issue of not having enough or of Having to wean for the next baby. My son self weaned at 11 months so good luck however it works out for you.
I cannot offer much advice directly. But I can strongly recommend you visit the Discussion boards at www.mothering.com. It is a great site, and many mothers there will be able to help you out. Check it out. :)
Hi, I'm still breastfeeding at 8 months and am excited about getting pregnant again. But I haven't got my period yet. My mother got pregnant with my brother when I was 9 months and still breastfeeding. She hadn't had her period yet either so I'm still hoping. She breastfed me until I was 17 months. I guess I was a boob girl too. I guess what I'm trying to say is go for it. You can breastfeed and be pregnant without any negative consequences. I would contact your local La Leche League or health unit to offer personalized advice. Good Luck!
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