When it comes to having kids, most women consider the time leading up to and immediately after childbirth as the only viable window for getting pregnant. The idea of getting pregnant while breastfeeding sounds like a risky proposition for many and for good reason. After all, there are so many factors that need to be taken into consideration when deciding whether or not it’s a good idea to get pregnant again as soon as you’ve finished nursing your little one. There are risks involved in getting pregnant while breastfeeding, but these can be minimized with good planning and support.
Sometimes mothers can get pregnant very fast after the first birth. If that happens, breastfeeding the first baby is still fine. After your second bundle of joy, you will definitely have your hands full, but it’s okay to allow them to drink without problems.
Nature takes over while you’re pregnant with one while breastfeeding the other. Simply remember to eat with your hungry, stay hydrated, and have faith. Your body will adjust to feeding your babies when needed.
Important things to remember if you do happen to be breastfeeding while pregnant.
- If your breasts become a bit more tender, the amount of milk may decrease a bit.
- Colostrum forms towards the end of pregnancy. It’s a mother’s milk that gives the new baby what it needs for the first few weeks like immune system needs. (Your body will know what to do for your body instinctively). The color will be a bit yellow, and the consistency will be a little thicker than your normal milk.
The taste is also expected to change. This is due to the post-labor and lactation phase of your milk.
If you’re worried about nursing your first baby stimulating contraction for the one you’re pregnant with, please don’t worry. A naturally produced chemical called oxytocin is produced while the natural stimulation happens. This controls your contractions and actually produces milk for your current baby at the same time.
Small contractions are nothing to worry about unless they increase, and are consistent in their timing. Check with your doctor for symptoms of “false labor contractions” you can learn to tell the difference.
If you’ve been diagnosed as “high risk” due to possible premature birth or other things, oxytocin may become a problem. It may be advised by your doctor to not breastfeed your baby while pregnant with another. You wouldn’t want to create a dangerous situation for your new baby. Lovemaking may as well be something to consider being very careful with especially when it comes to nipple stimulation.
Why Is Breastfeeding Important?
Breastfeeding is an essential part of infant nutrition and development. Breast milk is a living substance that changes as the child grows, and it is important for the child’s brain development, among other things. Breastfeeding can protect against many diseases that are common in infancy, such as ear infections and gastrointestinal problems. Later in life, breastfeeding is associated with lower rates of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Breastfeeding also has important benefits for mothers. It is a powerful way of bonding with a child and can help reduce the feelings of stress and anxiety related to new parenthood. Breastfeeding can also help a mother return to her pre-pregnancy weight and reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.
Can You Get Pregnant While Breastfeeding?
Yes, it is possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding. In fact, it may even be easier to conceive while breastfeeding, because your body releases certain hormones while breastfeeding that make it easier for an ovary to release a fertilized egg. Breastfeeding does not, however, increase fertility or the length of a woman’s menstrual cycle. Because of this, you should not plan to become pregnant while breastfeeding. Breastfeeding does not affect a fetus in any way. This is important to remember, because it is common for women to be nervous about breastfeeding while pregnant for fear that the child might be affected.
When Can You Get Pregnant After Breastfeeding?
Assuming you are not pregnant while breastfeeding, once you stop, your menstrual cycle will return to normal. Once menstruation has returned, you will have a period of time that is known as “your fertile window” or “fertility window.” This is the time when you are most likely to conceive. Your fertile window begins two weeks before conception, and ends one week after conception. The length of your fertile window can vary, depending on the length of your menstrual cycle. The average length of a menstrual cycle is 28 days. For this reason, your fertile window is generally between day 10 and day 18 of your menstrual cycle.
Risks of Getting Pregnant While Breastfeeding
There are certain risks associated with getting pregnant while breastfeeding. These risks, however, can be minimized by planning for your pregnancy and breastfeeding. When considering the risks, you should remember that these are risks associated with how pregnancy and breastfeeding are managed together. If you are not breastfeeding and you get pregnant, these risks do not apply to you. Most of these risks are related to nutritional deficiencies and infections. Breastfeeding mothers are at increased risk of iron deficiency. Getting pregnant while breastfeeding can increase this risk even more, since iron reserves are lower in the body during pregnancy. Getting enough iron during pregnancy can help reduce the risk of iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia. Women who are pregnant while breastfeeding are at greater risk of contracting certain infections, such as urinary tract infections and group B streptococcal infections. Getting tested for infectious diseases before getting pregnant while breastfeeding is important to reduce the risk of transmitting these infections to the fetus.
Finding the Right Time to Conceive After Breastfeeding
The best time to conceive after breastfeeding is when your menstrual cycle has returned to normal and you’ve weaned your child. Nine months after you’ve weaned your child is the best time to conceive again. This should ensure that you are fully re-established with your nutritional needs and are at your healthiest. It’s also important to remember that breastfeeding is not the only thing that affects fertility. Other things that affect fertility include sleep and stress. You should aim to have a healthy lifestyle while breastfeeding and while you are trying to conceive. You should also have a doctor’s appointment before you conceive again, so they can check your health and can help reduce any risks that may come along with getting pregnant while breastfeeding. Your doctor can also help you determine when you are ready to get pregnant again.
How to Conceive While Breastfeeding?
There are a few things you can do to increase your fertility and chances of conception while breastfeeding.
- First and foremost, make sure you are getting enough sleep! Getting enough sleep can help regulate your hormones, which is important for conception.
- Try to maintain a healthy diet rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
- Try to lower your stress levels. Stress can affect your hormones and fertility, so try to find ways to lower your stress levels.
- Stay physically active.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding is a natural and healthy way to feed a child, but it is possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding. Getting pregnant while breastfeeding can increase the risk of certain nutritional deficiencies and infections, so it is important to talk to your doctor before trying to conceive while breastfeeding. Getting pregnant after breastfeeding can make the process more challenging, but it is possible with a healthy lifestyle.
