Breastfeeding while pregnant: Is it safe?

Did you get pregnant breastfeeding your baby? Are you afraid that this will harm your new pregnancy? Well, don’t worry, you are not the first to have this happen, and it is medically proven that breastfeeding during pregnancy is also safe for the mother, the fetus, and the baby who is being breastfed.

However, this issue generates controversy due to all the changes caused while pregnant; in the same way, this is not an absolute indication to stop breastfeeding during pregnancy. FastlyHealclarifies everything related to this topic, breastfeeding, and above all, clarifies completely your question about ” Can I breastfeed if I am pregnant? ” And more important details about it.

What are breastfeeding and its benefits for the baby?

The perfect way to nourish the newborn and the babies of a few months is by providing breast milk through breastfeeding on demand, that is, wherever and whenever the baby wants, this is an indisputable way to provide nutrition for the baby. Optimal baby development.

The first six months of the baby’s life are the most important for exclusive breastfeeding. After this period, it is done in a complementary way up to 2 years, combined with the other foods needed according to the age of growth, which are vegetable and fruit purees and solid food.

The benefits of breastfeeding are:

• It offers proteins: ideal to meet the newborn’s needs; this initial milk in the first days is called colostrum and is high in nutrients and antibodies for the baby.
• Stimulates the immune system: providing immune defenses capable of protecting the intestinal mucosa, the mucosa of the nose, and the throat, these being the areas most susceptible to external viral and bacterial organisms.
• Easy digestion and laxative effect: in addition to being easy to digest, breast milk stimulates the baby’s bowel movements, preventing all digestive system conditions such as constipation, diarrhea, and colic.
• Necessary nutrients and adequate temperature: breast milk is so complete that it has the vitamins, fats, and proteins that the baby needs with an ideal temperature; Its composition will improve as the baby grows, satisfying its needs at all stages of its growth.
• Provides the mother’s antibodies to the baby: stimulating the so-called natural immunity system where the mother provides all the antibodies to fight viruses or bacteria to which the baby can be exposed in the environment.
• Lowers Risk of Respiratory Diseases: All babies who are exclusively breastfed for at least the first six months of life are less likely to get respiratory infections.
• Avoid allergies: decrease the frequency of food allergies that appear as environmental factors with breast milk. The baby is exposed to fewer allergenic factors.
• Avoid obesity in the baby: breast milk contains the exact nutrients that the baby needs; therefore, its weight should be fair and according to the necessary amount if it is exclusively breastfed.
• It presents flavor changes: they prepare the baby for the varied inclusion of food, being possible that from 6 months, it becomes easy to accept the flavors of solid food.
• Stimulates and strengthens the mother-child bond: providing security and self-esteem for the baby and benefiting the mother’s relationship.

Benefits of breastfeeding for the mother

Besides the baby, the mother gets excellent benefits. These are the main benefits of breastfeeding for the mother :

• The first of these is that it stimulates the production of hormones capable of contracting the uterus.
• It helps the mother lose weight naturally.
• Breastfeeding has a lower risk of breast cancer and osteoporosis.
• Birth control (not safe).
• It favors the mother’s rest and confidence.

Can I breastfeed my baby if I am pregnant again?

There are many unknowns around this issue; especially the mother wonders whether the new pregnancy is compatible with breastfeeding another baby.

However, the doubt is resolved by understanding that it is possible and healthy to breastfeed while pregnant, as long as all precautions are taken so that there is no risk, both for the mother and for the baby, and for the fetus that is in gestation.

A normal pregnancy does not force the mother to stop breastfeeding; doctors and specialists explain that there is no risk for the pregnancy or the baby breastfeeding. It is usual for there to be fear when believing that breastfeeding while pregnant represents a risk of generating a miscarriage or miscarriage by causing uterine contractions. However, this is not entirely true. This does not happen because of breastfeeding; it occurs when the fetus’s condition is incompatible with life, uterine, or placental problems.

What is certain is that breastfeeding can continue similarly if the pregnancy proceeds typically. What a mother who breastfeeds at the same time usually feels during the first days of pregnancy is:

• Tenderness in the nipples due to the hormonal changes that occur.
• Fatigue when breastfeeding, in itself, is not exhausting but requires more energy.
• Decreased milk production from week ten due to the involution of the mammary gland that prepares for a new newborn.

So, in a different vein, if the baby who is being breastfed knows how to express himself more or less clearly, it can imply that the milk has a sour taste because it will have changed.

Precautions to take if I am pregnant and breastfeeding

As milk production decreases, precautions must be taken to breastfeed while pregnant.

The most important precaution to take is to increase the intake of fluid, preferably water; this will allow the breast to be fully hydrated and have the necessary amount of milk for the baby and adequate hydration for the fetus.

You must follow a diet consistent with pregnancy, one that is low in fat and contains all the nutrients, both for the baby and the fetus and the mother.

On the other hand, it must be taken into account that weaning under medical supervision and indication should be considered when:

• If you are in the presence of high-risk pregnancy or risk of premature delivery.
• In case of twin or multiple pregnancies.
• In case of uterine bleeding or pain.

What is tandem breastfeeding?

The simultaneous breastfeeding between the older brother and the newborn baby is called tandem breastfeeding, where children of different ages are fed.

This type of breastfeeding does not harm either child; in fact, it is highly beneficial for both for these reasons:

1. First of all, it has been proven that both children tend to gain weight in less time.
2. A strong bond is created, that is, an effective relationship between the two.
3. The older brother can be protected by the properties of colostrum, being more resistant to contracting diseases and, in turn, infecting the younger brother.

FastlyHealreminds you that first of all, the important thing is to go to the doctor immediately if you know that you are pregnant and that you are still breastfeeding another baby, it is not to worry, but the doctor must be in charge of giving the appropriate guidance to each mother, so that take into account the precautions and recommendations.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Can I breastfeed if I’m pregnant? We recommend that you enter our Pregnancy and baby health category .

Alivia Nyhan

I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.