Nursing While Pregnant & Losing My Milk

[gardenofedens]

I'm 20 weeks pregnant and my milk is almost gone. I almost lost it at the beginning but somehow managed to keep it but now it's seriously almost completely gone. My 11 month old still wants to nurse but gets so frustrated. I gave her her first bottle of formula a couple days ago and feel like such a failure and guilty for getting pregnant so soon. I don't want to give too much formula because I'm determined she still get at least some breastmilk but I have no idea how much she's actually getting and I don't want her to go hungry.

I can't do fenugreek since it apparently brings on contractions. The brewers yeast doesn't appear to be working anymore. What else can I do??

She definitely isn't ready to wean. I let her nurse whenever and wherever she wants just so she gets some. It's starting to turn to colostrum also which she didn't like at first but seems to be getting over that.

Please help!

 

[TheNewMrs]

Honestly, there isn't much you can do. The milk going is hormonal and a natural response to being pregnant. Giving other milk will be a good idea because your baby still needs it, and if she isn't getting much from you its important for her to stay hydrated and not hungry. I would say though that if she wants to still nurse, and you are ok with it, do let her. Lots of babies will dry nurse for a few weeks until the colostrum comes in and then enjoy that. If tandem nursing is something you are considering it helps baby to keep the latch. You could use an SNS too if you like?

Please don't feel guilty, she'll be delighted to have a little buddy to play with!

 

[gardenofedens]

Honestly, there isn't much you can do. The milk going is hormonal and a natural response to being pregnant. Giving other milk will be a good idea because your baby still needs it, and if she isn't getting much from you its important for her to stay hydrated and not hungry. I would say though that if she wants to still nurse, and you are ok with it, do let her. Lots of babies will dry nurse for a few weeks until the colostrum comes in and then enjoy that. If tandem nursing is something you are considering it helps baby to keep the latch. You could use an SNS too if you like?

Please don't feel guilty, she'll be delighted to have a little buddy to play with!

What is SNS?

 

[TheNewMrs]

Sorry, a Supplementary Nursing System. Medela do a great one.

 

[Lauki]

My girlie.was a bit older when I fell pregnant (15 months) and my milk dried up real quick. We have been dry nursing for months now. It has very much turned into a comfort thing without milk. She just drinks cow's milk in a cup.

We had a couple of times where she wasn't too sure about the changes, but we managed to make it to 40+2 today. So I will hopefully tandem nurse soon. If she is happy to dry nurse an you are okay with that, then just go for it! It has worked out wonderfully for us!