Isn't It Poisonous? Breastfeeding During Pregnancy

By Veronika Sophia Robinson
Founder and Editor of The Mother Magazine
posted with permission

Jennifer, of Natural Blessings Doula Services, celebrates two years nursing her son, while expecting her 4th child.

Paul, Bethany [my daughter] and I were in a town hall one evening, when one of the mediums there for a psychic event pointed me out and said that another baby was coming along. "No chance," I thought. "I'm breastfeeding on cue." Natural fertility and all that, I thought smugly...

Breastfeeding is a great natural contraception for many women (not all) when you exclusively breastfeed with no more than 4 hours in between any nursing sessions. If there is a longer gap - 6 hours for example - even on occasion, or your menstrual cycle has returned, than ovulation is likely taking place, and breastfeeding is not an effective contraception.

Interestingly, in a lot of cultures where the claim for 'breastfeeding as a contraceptive' is derived, couples tend not to have sex in the first two years after their baby's birth because they value the breastfeeding relationship so highly. This paints a rather different picture to 'exclusive' breastfeeding being a natural contraceptive. These cultures hold the breastfeeding relationship sacred, and abstain from sex, so as to not interfere with either the first baby's nursing (milk supply, composition and taste all change - or disappear altogether - when pregnant).

Interestingly, tandem nursing in indigenous cultures is also rare, because abstinence naturally leads to a greater age gap between children. Most modern western women tend to have sex soon after giving birth, do not feed on cue, and are well nourished - so they can easily become pregnant again, as well as nurse through pregnancy and sustain two or more children at the breast.

Bethany had been eating a few different fruits, so was no longer exclusively breastfed at 15 months. I had one menstrual cycle, then *bingo*.

It was once Eliza had made herself known, that a friend urged me to contact La Leche League, the international breastfeeding support group, promising me I'd find like-minded people there. I thought I'd give it a go. It was life-changing in so many ways.

I soon learned there was no need to wean Bethany, and as long as we were both happy to continue the breastfeeding relationship, she could suckle right through pregnancy.

Funny what you learn from other people along the way though. "Isn't it poisonous for her to receive your breast milk when you're pregnant?" was just one of the many questions I fielded. Where on earth would anyone get an idea like that?

Bethany suckled away throughout my pregnancy. Near the end of gestation, however, my milk dried up, and I found her suckling excruciating. She didn't seem at all bothered by the lack of milk, though of course it is possible that she was extracting something, and I just didn't have the same ability when squeezing it out myself. Paul was invaluable at keeping her amused so I could get plenty of rest and relaxation.

The drying up of milk in pregnancy is very common. So common, that if baby is not old enough (usually around 18 months of age) early weaning may be the result. Not my Bethany. Perhaps she knew what liquid gold was in store for her.

I believe the number one reason for a child weaning early during the first few years of life, or in pregnancy, is because she energetically picks up her mother's discomfort and resentment at sustained breastfeeding. There's a lot of pressure on the child, from other people, to wean. In a place 'beyond' words, the child is hearing that breastfeeding is no longer acceptable.

One of my favorite images is of Bethany breastfeeding while I labored in the birthing pool. It looked like we were both having a bit of fun in the spa! Bethany was 22 months old. In retrospect, she was such a little girl, and it must have really knocked her world upside down to have a baby come along then. Bethany's toddlerhood benefited enormously from the continuation of our breastfeeding relationship.

Eliza's birth was not the idyllic waterbirth at home that we'd planned. Instead, I was told it was illegal to have a home-birth in New Zealand if you're more than ten days past your due date. Ironically, it wasn't until Eliza's fourth birthday that I found out that this is untrue, and a midwife's own policy can be over-ridden. Any policy can be overridden by a parent signing a disclaimer - taking responsibility, in writing, and accepting the outcome. Take back your power and do what you feel is right, rather than what you're told you 'should be doing'.

We went into hospital against my better judgment; my waters were artificially ruptured. Hindsight has a reputation for being a wonderful thing! As soon as you interfere with birth you're asking for problems. Birth doesn't like to be told what to do. My baby wasn't ready, and I knew it. I should have stuck to my guns, and refused consent. But I didn't.

Eliza presented with shoulder dystocia. (Her shoulder got stuck coming out of the birth canal). All ten pounds and four ounces of her were put in my arms. She was blue. We ended up in NICU for a variety of reasons, which, looking back, was unnecessary; and a lot of it was to do with unacceptable mistakes made by the 'experts' at the resuscitation table. The next few days were a steep learning curve, as we endured the world of plastic cribs, and staff that seemed hell-bent on giving every baby in sight fake milk, despite having 'Breastfeeding Friendly' posters over all the walls.

Although many women have fed a toddler over their large belly while growing a new baby, a lot don't continue breastfeeding when finding themselves pregnant again, because, aside from books at La Leche League and other breastfeeding support groups, there's very little information available.

We don't tend to see breastfeeding in pregnancy, for the simple reason that many women who are still breastfeeding after infancy, sometimes stop breastfeeding in public.

What does the toddler gain from breastfeeding in pregnancy? This seems to be top of the question list. As soon as most people see a kid walking, or wearing shoes, or worse, talking, they can't reconcile that with breastfeeding. A toddler has every bit as much to gain from breastfeeding as an infant. Physically, they receive an immunological boost from every breastfeed. They continue to develop their jaw and facial muscles in a way that doesn't happen with bottle-feeding. Weaning before the age of two increases the risk of illness (1-7). Breastfeeding helps a toddler adjust to life with a new sibling, by them being included in the breastfeeding process.

There is no scientific evidence whatsoever to suggest that breastfeeding in pregnancy causes harm to mother or baby. Some people are concerned that the nipple stimulation of breastfeeding in pregnancy might lead to contractions. There is again, absolutely no evidence, scientific or anecdotal, to suggest labor being brought on early by this. As you're eating nutritious foods and resting well, there's absolutely no reason why you can't breastfeed, grow a baby and nurture your own body.

If you're concerned about anemia, please avoid resorting to a doctor's prescription for iron tablets. Apart from not being natural, they'll make you constipated, which is the last thing you need. Try dried apricots, or have a spoon of organic, unsulphured blackstrap molasses each day. Either off the spoon or blended with rice milk and a banana.

Other natural sources of iron include:
split peas
cooked lentils
hummus
kidney, adzuki, pinto, white and black-eyed beans
tahini
almond butter
uncooked quinoa
tomatoes
kale
potatoes (keep the skin on!)
broccoli
peas
nori seaweed
hijiki seaweed
prunes
apricots
blackstrap molasses
tofu
iron fortified cereals
cashews
sesame seeds
oat & wheat bran
figs
hazelnuts
almonds

How commonly we accept toddlers being pacified by blankies, dummies and plastic bottles, yet the situation where a child has these needs met naturally through full-term breastfeeding leads to cultural disgust.

The most obvious and natural place to gain nutrition and nurturing is at our mother's breast. Children don't forfeit their independence because they weaned naturally - far from it. Knowing their relationship with mother is secure, gives them a firm footing in the world. It's often quoted that breastfed children have a higher IQ than their artificially-fed peers. There's a good reason for this, which I've elaborated on in my book chapter, "Who's the Dummy?"

Emotional intelligence is more important, in many ways, than intellectual strength. Our children receive many gifts from being breastfed; and certainly with more long term breastfeeding, we see that children have a higher self-esteem, and a sense of being accepted and valued. In our arms they learn intimacy, the most valuable gift for relationships. We provide them with warmth and comfort.

References

1) American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Breastfeeding. Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. Pediatrics. Feb 2005;115(2): 496-50.
2) The American Academy of Family Physicians. Position Paper on Breastfeeding. 2001.
3) Dettwyler KA. A Natural Age of Weaning.
4) Dettwyler KA."A Time to Wean" from Breastfeeding: Biocultural Perspectives, 1995.
5) Novello A, MD, US Surgeon General, "You Can Eat Healthy," Parade Magazine (11 Nov 1990): 5.
6) World Health Organization. Global strategy on infant and young child feeding. 16 April 2002.
7) World Health Organization. Innocenti Declaration: World Declaration and
Plan of Action for Nutrition. Rome, December 1992.