Help for a nursing pregnant mom!

[momto2]

Hi, I am new here. Have read on the boards on/off with my first (dd now 6 years) and with my second (ds now 17 mos) I have nursed him and worked/pumped the whole time. My supply was lower, but still ok, and I was still pumping twice a day usually, but now I am 8, almost 9 weeks pregnant and my supply has gone to nothing. I can only pump about an oz now, which is so frustrating. ds still seems to want to nurse just the same, but I know he isn't getting much. I guess I am venting my frustration, and wondering if any others went through the same. Of course, my OB has told me to wean, but I am not really wanting to at this point. But will my supply pick back up at any point, or this is it and it will only get worse? Thanks for any advice from others who have been through similar.

[Jacksmommy]

You don't need to wean, but you may not see an increase in supply until you start producing colustrum.

[dulce_de_leche]

ITA w/ Jacksmommy. Unless you are on complete pelvic rest, or have a very high risk pregnancy, there is no reason to wean. My OB was actually delighted that I am nursing two kiddos through this pregnancy!

www.kellymom.com has some great info on nursing through pregnancy.

For supply issues, I'd just make sure that you are very hydrated, getting enough calories and maybe try oatmeal. Fenugreek is not safe for pregnancy.

FWIW, most babes will choose to continue nursing even without milk, although some prefer to wean because they dislike the changes in milk taste or amount. My dd dry-nursed for awhile and was much happier once the colostrum came in during my last trimester.

[kohlby]

My supply dried up three times when pg - at 3.5 weeks twice and 4 weeks once. (I did miscarry two of those times but I miscarried when not nursing twice as well. I've been told it's fine for me to nurse while pg even given my history). My son still nursed. It got a little better at around 24 weeks pg - there was enough to swallow finally, but still little. I told DS that DD being born would make more breastmilk - I think that helped DS get excited about DD's birth!

I do expect my DD will wean if I have a pg that lasts at least until first trimester is over. But she's never comfort nursed until very recently. (So she could surprise me!) 30% of babies/kids self-wean when the mum is pregnant - that means 70% don't, even with little milk.