Are you considering adding a new little one to your family, but you still have a nursling? Are you wondering about breastfeeding while pregnant, weaning in pregnancy, or tandem nursing? Unless you have a friend or family member who has nursed during and perhaps through a pregnancy, you may not be familiar with options and resources for nursing while pregnant. Here are a collection of FAQs and resources you may find helpful. ***As always, consult your medical provider for any questions about your specific situation. How does nursing impact ability to conceive? The hormones at work in breastfeeding can delay the return of the breastfeeding parent's fertility, so it depends on many individual factors as far as when and if one can conceive while breastfeeding. While some experience the return of fertility with in a few months of giving birth while breastfeeding, others may not until fully weaning. Because ovulation can occur before the onset of the first menses, some breastfeeding parents may conceive without every noting the return of their cycle, while others may experience anovulatory cycles before a full return of fertility. If you wish to understand and chart your cycle, a fertility doula is a great first resource as you navigate this time. If your nights are still interrupted but you want to begin tracking your basal body temperature, check out my favorite piece of fertility tech - Tempdrop! This little wonder makes it possible to chart your temperature amidst night wakings, feedings, or any other reason for interrupted sleep. * Is it safe to nurse during pregnancy? Nursing releases oxytocin, which is the same hormone that causes uterine contractions. However, research suggests that this level of oxytocin, similar to that released during orgasm, does not pose an increased risk for miscarriage or preterm labor. There are certain situations of pregnancy or complications where you may be advised to wean, and these should be discussed with your medical provider. Will I be able to provide for my nursling while pregnant or will my supply be impacted? Whether or not you need to supplement with donor milk or formula will depend on your unique situation as well as little one's age and stage. For babies under a year, breastmilk or formula should still be the primary form of nutrition - and diapers and weight gain are the indicators of sufficient intake. (Always consult your medical provider if you have concerns about baby's intake.) Older babies may gradually transition to more solid food intake, and older nurslings may choose to nurse more or less frequently depending on changes in supply and taste. Kellymom notes that while a decrease in supply by the midpoint of pregnancy is typical, some notice a lessening of supply (and perhaps increased demand from their nursling) as early as the first month of pregnancy. What are the challenges of nursing while pregnant? While the experiences of breastfeeding while pregnant may vary to person to person, some challenges you may note include feeling touched out or aversions to nursing. You may also experience sensitivity and pain with nursing during different points in the pregnancy. If your nursling is a toddler, you may be successful setting loving limits around your nursing times that allow you to sustain this relationship during pregnancy. What about colostrum - will my baby still get enough? While pregnant, your body will switch from mature milk to the production of colostrum. This colostrum production continues until hormonal changes from the delivery of the placenta in the third stage of labor triggers a shift into transitional and then mature milk. After the new baby is born, you may want to make sure to feed the new baby first to insure he or she gets those good antibodies. And, your older nursling may experience some laxative effects from the colostrum, as well. What is tandem nursing and how does that work? If you choose to nurse an older sibling through pregnancy, tandem nursing - nursing two at the same time - is an option. A great resource on this topic - even for those just starting to think about nursing and pregnancy - is La Leche League's Adventures in Tandem Nursing. Full of evidence-based information as well as the personal stories of breastfeeding parents who have nursed through pregnancy and beyond - this book is thorough and truly helpful. As far as what tandem nursing looks like for your little family, know that there is no right or wrong. For some, setting limits with the older sibling as far as when and how long he or she can nurse works to help the breastfeeding parent not become overwhelmed. For others, the opportunity to nurse both at the same time allows for more rest as opposed to nursing the new baby and worrying about what the toddler could be doing. If you do find yourself needing to set limits for your older child, making sure to communicate your wishes, offering other options for comfort (snuggling, reading a book, having a snack or a drink), and being empathetic to any big feels can be so helpful. Here, making sure to have a solid postpartum plan to support you as you navigate these early days with sibling interaction can also be truly important. Feeding a baby. We're mammals after all, right? Despite the fact that our babies and our bodies were biologically made for this, the work of breastfeeding doesn't always feel that natural. And, because the culture that we live in isn't the most breastfeeding informed, feeding your little one whenever and wherever they need to be fed can be a bit stressful at the start. If you are choosing to breastfeed your little one, here are a few tips that may make those initial forays into breastfeeding in public more comfortable. Dress for success. Finding the apparel that makes you feel most comfortable with breastfeeding can be key. While many companies make specific nursing clothing, a lot of nursing parents find that a deep v-neck is sufficient for access to the breast. Others use the "two shirt method," where a top shirt is pulled up and a tank or undershirt is pulled down, keeping all but the breast cozy in clothing. Adding a scarf can be nice if you are feeling like a little more coverage or in chillier weather when an extra layer keeps you and baby more snug. Do it on the move. Sometimes finding a comfy spot to sit down for a feed can feel stressful - or less than ideal when you need to get an errand done now. Learning to nurse in a carrier can be a tool that not only makes breastfeeding in public - but parenting a tiny person in general - more sustainable. Not sure how feed in your specific carrier? Reach out to your postpartum doula or local baby wearing group - the latter being another great resource to find friends and support. Find your community. Nothing boosts your breastfeeding in public confidence like seeing experienced breast feeders wrangle their infants and toddlers and feed in public around you. If you don't have any mom friends to call up for a trip somewhere low-key out and about, reach out to your local breastfeeding group. There are likely a dozen or more breastfeeding parents who would be happy to meet for coffee and be your support squad as you get comfortable nursing in public. And, getting out with other parents in the same stage of life can be so helpful to building your village, too. To cover or not to cover? Many companies sell expensive scarfs or apron-like devices to cover you and baby while nursing. While some breastfeeding parents feel most comfortable nursing under-cover, others prefer to go without. There is no right or wrong, here - only what works to make you and baby feel the best. And, at different stages your little one may heartily protest being covered or do best with more coverage to prevent distraction - only time and experience will let you know. Bottom line: what works for you and baby is what is good and proper. Trust in that - and feed that baby! Advice from breastfeeding parents who have been there and done that: While nursing tops are helpful, I found that layering a tank top under a regular shirt made breastfeeding discreet without a nursing cover. Lifting your shirt up (as opposed to down with a nursing shirt) covers the action and makes for quick access. The tank top underneath covers your tummy and sides while your shirt is lifted up. - Kelly D. I liked having a nursing cover in my backpack.... not necessarily for covering up but for any spit up. - Megan F. Mostly though I just have the attitude that I dare somebody to say something about me feeding my child, but keep a smile on my face so everyone knows I'm confident in my choice. My last piece of advice is to not think everyone is judging you! Most people are in their own worlds out in public and aren't looking or thinking about what you are doing! You can trick yourself into seeing a lot of negativity that might not be there . - Becca D. I went to Plato's closet and bought cute, long tanks in sizes much larger than I usually would so either the arm hole or neck hole is much larger. That way I can just lift up the top shirt, and pull the tank to the side from the armpit. It's easy, discreet, and I feel cute. - Abbi B. I personally feel like if I can catch baby a little early before she’s all out hangry, it’s easier to have a relaxed nursing session in public! When she gets hangry is when it gets a little treacherous for me getting her settled down. So I plan my trips out accordingly - (baby will need to eat around 2, will we be somewhere where I can easily sit down to feed her?) - Carli R. [S]omething that really helped me was always having some enjoyable to drink myself. At the grocery store- I’d always stop by the Starbucks kiosk to get a coffee, or at a restaurant order a favorite cocktail, and always had my water bottle on me. I’d always focus on 1. my baby and 2. just enjoying a drink with my babe. It was almost a mindfulness thing... when I’d start to feel anxious, like people might be staring (they really never were), enjoying a sip of my drink would help me recenter. [. . .]. [I] also just reminded myself that by nursing in public- it’s just paving the way for other moms to feel able to do so as well. I remember seeing moms nursing in public prior to be a mom myself- also remember moms nursing their babies when I was a teacher in an infant classroom and those are the moms who normalized breastfeeding for me and showed me how important it is to be confident and able to do what we need to take best care of our babies and self! So I think that every time I nurse in public, I hope this will help a mama in the future do the same! - Emma B. With my first I was so worried what everyone around me was thinking, and I didn't want to make others uncomfortable. I experienced a number of breastfeeding challenges with my first child and ended up needing to supplement and later wean much earlier than I would have liked. So with my second, I made up my mind that I was going to try not to care what anyone else thought or if I was making anyone uncomfortable. As a woman, we often find ourselves planning for and managing everyone else' s needs, emotions, expectations in our family and societal role. I continue to try to reject that expectation and focus on my ultimate priority, which is feeding and nourishing my baby. - Grace S. Expecting and looking for a breastfeeding class full evidence-based information and nonjudgmental support? Nested Mama offers a convenient webinar Breastfeeding: basics & beyond.
Schedule your free chat to learn how Nested Mama's virtual doula services can support your fertility journey.While the word doula may be most commonly associated with birth support, the word itself actually comes from the Greek word for servant or "one who serves." What, then, is a fertility doula? A fertility doula is a trained professional who provides preconception support to individuals and partners as they follow their path to parenthood. Just as a birth doula brings non-medical, non-judgmental informational, emotional, and physical support to the time around labor and birth, a fertility doula brings that same model to preconception and (in)fertility. Just as birth brings options for choices, so does the path to conception. For clients just beginning their conception journey, a fertility doula provides evidence-based information on tracking and charting fertility as well as holistic resources to support you along the way. Making sure you and your partner are on the same page with understanding how fertility works and maximizing your fertility window can save you stress and guesswork at the start! For those couples who have been trying to conceive for 6 or more months, a fertility doula can be a lifeline as they navigate options for medication and reproductive technology. Your fertility doula is nonjudgmental and always in your corner - meaning you can feel free to express your concerns and wishes without the pressures that can come from others. Navigating options for infertility treatment can be overwhelming, as can finding supportive practitioners you can trust. Your doula is with you every step of the way, helping you evaluate your options and tune into your intuition as you make these choices which are so important to you and your partner. As a trained Fertility Specialist, I bring a host of tools to support my fertility clients in their journey. These tools include a mind/body approach (which research suggests aids in conception). A mind/body approach complements any treatments you may receive and also provides you tools that can help you navigate the experience with less stress. And, as a Pregnancy and Infant Loss Advocate, I understand that your journey to start and grow your family may have included experiences of loss. I understand, too, that pregnancy after loss and/or infertility comes with different emotions and challenges. Because of that understanding, I also extend my doula work to include early pregnancy support - providing the informational and emotional support you need as you move through the early weeks of pregnancy. For many, experiencing pregnancy after loss or infertility comes with a desire to keep this stage of pregnancy more private, but this can also result in feelings of loneliness - with fertility doula support and early pregnancy support, you don't have to go it alone. So, when should you hire a fertility doula? When you first consider trying to conceive or intend to start your journey in the coming months, your fertility doula provides you the insight and the support you need to feel confident planning for this journey. When you feel frustrated after a few months of trying to conceive and want some holistic tools, your fertility doula equips you with an evidence-based understanding of fertility and fertility tracking education to support this stage of your journey. When you begin to investigate infertility options, your fertility doula provides the informational and emotional support you need to fully explore your options with no judgment. When you are navigating fertility treatments, your fertility doula support includes a mind/body approach to complement and support these treatments. When you are experiencing loss or conception after loss, your fertility doula provides wholehearted support and connection to resources - and most importantly, makes sure you don't feel alone in this experience. When you move through early pregnancy after loss or infertility, your fertility doula offers continuity of support, walking with you in these challenging and exciting days and weeks of early pregnancy. No matter where you are on your path to grow your family, your fertility doula will meet you there with empathy and understanding. Want to learn more about fertility doula support? Reach out for a free discovery call today! *When you purchase through this link, you receive a discount and I receive a small commission that helps keep the Nested Mama blog up and running. A win-win! Please know I only share and recommend tools that come highly recommended by myself and/or the wonderful, smart, intelligent clients I support. Looking for mentorship? Schedule your free chat to learn how Nested Mama's one-on-one personalized mentoring can support you!Are you considering make the jump into doula work or a related field? Exploring all your options is sure to be exciting. Exciting and overwhelming, too. As I shared in a previous post on my experience with another doula training and certification organization, I'm frequently contacted by those thinking of making the leap into this amazing work of supporting families in the childbearing year. While sometimes these individuals are interested in my work as a doula, more often they are seeking advice on where to go for training and for certification. As I've written about before, any deep dive into doula training is sure to turn up some polarizing divisions between different organizations, and some doulas can be quite vocal in their preference for one organization over another. That's all well and good - and as I'll share later in this post, I've have my own preferences, as well. But, what those conversations often fail to discuss is that you are an individual investing in this training, and it needs to be the right fit for your values and goals. So, even as I'll share with you my experiences with Bebo Mia *- and why I think they are a phenomenal option for training and certification - know that all that enthusiasm comes with the caveat that you should pick the best program for YOU. Bebo Mia is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, but their programs are fully online, which means you are likely to encounter a diverse group of classmates when you enroll in any of their programs. Each certification can be selected individually or in a bundle for a discount - woohoo for that! One of the aspects that appealed most to me as I explored Bebo Mia's options was their manner of course delivery. Being a busy homeschooling parent, I knew I needed any program to be self-paced and available online for me to make this work with my life. When I jumped into my first Bebo Mia course, I was so pleased to find a smart course design that makes learning truly a pleasure. Each module includes a video of class instruction as well as any supplementary videos, a detailed PDF document covering the class content, and engaging homework and assignments. As an educator myself, I always value sustainable assignment design - that is work that has a purpose and a longevity rather than just a checkbox on your way to the finish line. I consistently found Bebo Mia's course content and individual work to further my understanding of the material and produce homework that actually moved me down the path of my knowledge and business goals. Additionally, with each Bebo Mia course, you will be added to a private Facebook group just for that particular course and session. These groups allow you to engage more deeply in the course content, ask questions, and gain a sense of community with your fellow learners. If you are on the hunt for a doula training program, know that Bebo Mia offers an in-depth MSP (Maternal Services Practicioner) Program that covers fertility, birth, and postpartum. Where other organizations may try to cover any of these topics in a weekend, Bebo Mia takes a seriously deep dive over 16 weeks. (While I haven't completed this particular course, my experience in three other courses leaves me confident that this 16-week program would be a solid choice for doula training. And, as I LOVE taking classes with Bebo Mia, I could see myself circling back in the future to take this training, as well.) Currently, I've completed EcoBaby Certification and Infant Sleep Educator Certification, and I'm finishing the last steps in my Fertility Specialist Certification. I've found Bebo Mia's course design, support, and lived values to be incredibly consistent despite the varied topics and additional instructors. If you are on the hunt for additional training, know that they also offer Diverse Families Certification, Childbirth Education Certification, and Breastfeeding Education Certification - all of which provide excellent opportunities for continuing your education as a birth professional. If you are already a trained doula but looking for more support as you grow your business, I'd highly recommend you check out Bebo Mia's Don't Doula it Yourself program. For a super reasonable monthly fee, you get access to their library of business videos - covering everything from getting started, branding, social media, and more - as well as their private Facebook group moderated by a business mentor. Additionally, that library of content is always growing with more masterclasses as well as live Q&A sessions where you can get answers to your most pressing business questions. Starting a doula business can leave you feeling overwhelmed and lonely, but with the encouragement of this generous DDIY community, you can get the support and community you need to grow your business. If you haven't already, I'd encourage you to spend some time exploring the Bebo Mia website. Each program has a course outline, certification requirements, and ethics statement all right there, so you can get a good sense of what they offer and their values as an organization. *This post contains affiliate links. |
AuthorJohanna received a Ph.D. in English in 2014. Now a postpartum doula and educator of childbirth, breastfeeding, and infant sleep, she blogs about pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting. Archives
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