Is Breastfeeding Contraindicated During Pregnancy?

People in the earlier years believed that breastfeeding while pregnant will take away all the nutrients that the mother has. The doctors believed it too, but then again, they were not as advanced and as skilled as our doctors now. Surprisingly, however, in this modern age, there are still a few who are ready to argue with you if you tell them that you do not have to stop breastfeeding when you are pregnant. This belief is entirely wrong, and its followers should be educated on the right thing.

Find Your Own Reasons to Stop

Never let anyone decide for you. It is your decision whether or not you would like to continue breastfeeding during your pregnancy. Some of the reasons that will make you want to stop may be the constant feeling of low energy. It could also be the growth of teeth on your child, allowing him to bite when the opportunity comes. Mastitis, an infection in the breast caused by engorged breasts due to milk that was not expressed properly, could also be a reason. Or your milk will just dry up one day, and that would be an absolute reason to stop.

Make Sure It is the Right Thing to Do

If you have decided to stop breastfeeding, make sure that you have the right reasons for doing so. Never stop immediately, since your child could wonder why you had taken it away from them. They might get discouraged about the new baby, or they might think that he had done something terrible. If you are lucky, your child just might decide to wean himself. This can be very helpful on your part, since you do not have to go through difficult ways to wean him off. If you need to do it, you can always do it slowly, or through "cold turkey". Using the cold turkey might have some bad results, so it is better to limit his or her feeding to certain hours of the day. Take away more as time passes, but make sure the process is gradual. It will not become traumatic if you do it this way.

If You Still Want to Breastfeed

If you want to continue breastfeeding during your pregnancy, the first thing to do is to talk to your doctor. As in any case, you always need to involve your family doctor with each step you make. Your doctor may know something in your health and body that you do not, so it is always best to listen to his or her advice. Listen to what they tell you and do your own research to know if it is just his belief or if it is a real medical reason. If you feel that your doctor cannot provide you with the proper services, you can always find another one.

When your family or relatives will know that you are going to continue breastfeeding, they will most likely talk you out of it. Stay calm and do not worry; it is entirely normal. It is your job to explain to them nicely that it is your decision and that you are only doing what you think is best for your baby. If you want to talk to people who are undergoing the same situation as you, search for support groups in your community. It will help you feel less stressed. An example of such group is the La Leche League.

Breastfeeding during your pregnancy does not have to be stopped, since it is not harmful to your children. Remember not to let anyone affect your decision. It is up to you to decide.