breastfeeding and pregnancy -anyone else?

[runnermum]

hi there, I am 16 weeks preggo with my 3rd baby. I am still breastfeeding my 11month old once a day before bedtime.

my question is for those in a similar situation. Are you putting on weight more slowly? I am very slender to start with at 58kgs and 5 foot 9. I have put on NO weight at all as yet and my breasts have not grown either AT ALL. Is this because of breastfeeding ?? with my other 2 pregnancies my breasts grew early and quickly to a C cup which is big for me!

I am not worried as I know bub is OK. I feel tired naturally, but NOT totally out of it ! I do also either run/cycle or swim everyday for at least 30-40 mins but this is also natural for me and a very light exercise program as I am used to MUCH, MUCH more training.

I would of thought my breasts would of grown a bit by now! maybe when I stop breastfeeding?

[MantaRay]

I bf for the first half of my pg. Unfortunately by then the drop in supply was enough for my DS to call it quits

I found that my breasts didn't change much either - and thank goodness because they were painful the first time! The pain, and growth in breasts during pg happens because the structure of the breasts is changing to cater for milk production. When you are already lactating, this doesn't need to happen.

I also found that I put less weight on with that pg, but DS2 was still a good size. He was born at 36 weeks and was still a couple of grams under 3kg and didn't need Special Care which was fantastic. I don't think the lack of weight gain needs to be anything to worry about.

Also, yes I found I was very tired while bfing and pg. And I was still every bit as tired once DS1 weaned and I was "just" pg with a toddler. Every one I know has been much tireder with the 2nd pg. I don't think the bfing makes it any worse. It's just hard work having two little ones to look after - one in utero and one running around.

All the best with it hun. It sounds like you are doing a great job.

[suse]

I'm now 15 weeks, and have lost weight - probably about 4kg - since becoming pregnant (but my ms has only subsided in the last week, so this might change now that I can stomach food again). Bubs seems to be doing fine.

And my breasts haven't got any bigger, if anything, slightly smaller.

And yep, very tired with this one. But a hyper-toddler who doesn't sleep as much as his mum would like, and insomnia combined really don't help with that one.

[BhoysGirl]

I'm still BFing my 2.5yo toddler once a day, and like MR & Suse, have also found that my breasts haven't really changed in size either. I have no idea what my weight has done, as I don't weigh myself, and my OB doesn't worry about tracking it either (bless him ), although from a clothes fitting perspective not much except my enormous tummy has changed. I think we're at the tail-end of the feeding, cos he's not necessarily asking everyday (I guess I demand feed - if he doesn't ask, I generally don't worry about offering), and it certainly feels like my supply has really dropped off significantly. It also hurts like crazy for the first few seconds, so I'm secretly a bit relieved if he stops .

As for the tiredness, I have a toddler who doesn't generally sleep through the night, and likes to run all day...so even if I weren't still BFing him, I reckon the exhaustion level would be the same.

[runnermum]

hi ladies,
thanks for the replies. I don't think I will be breastfeeding my little girl for that much longer either - she is a little biter, however once on, she loves the closeness of mum before she goes to bed. I want to give my breasts a break before embarking on breastfeeding again for the 3rd time!!

having a son with Autism and an 11 month old and being pregnant AND still trying to keep fit is certainly hard MOST days. NO family support either, apart from a wonderful husband....

One day at a time...at least a this stage I don't have to worry about gaining excess weight. !!! Not that I have time to eat junk food anyway, and every spare moment I have to myself I spend outside running, cycling or swimming ! stress relief !

I hope my milk supply will cope - have never had problems in the past so I suppose not to worry....
thanks again ladies..

[prama]

this is a great thread.
my son's 2 next month and I'm 9 weeks pg. I'm still bf-ing once a day.
No changes in my breasts unlike last time, I suppose like Mantaray said it's cos I'm lactating already?
I have lost some weight probably cos of ms and I've been working out in the gym for the last 8 mths, whereas my first pg I only swam and did yoga.

I saw a midwife last week and she told me that my milk supply will drop as the pregnancy progresses, is this true? I've read women continue to bf whilst pg.

suse - yup super tired with a toddler and i've been having insomnia too.