Two different people now (related to recent m/c)

doremi · #1 September 4th, 2011, 07:34 PM

I've had two different people suggest that the reason I am having miscarriages is because I am still bf-ing Josiah

They said that bf-ing can lower your progesterone levels. Is this just another one of those stupid comments, or do they have a valid point? FWIW, I am not feeling emotionally invested in the bf-ing, never intended to go this long. BUT, Josiah is extremely attached and looks at me like I'm ripping his heart out if I tell him he can't nurse. When we talk and I ask him when he plans to stop drinking Mommy's milk, he matter of factly tells me, "When the baby comes"

JessP · #2 September 4th, 2011, 08:54 PM

Here is the thread that has a bunch of links to sources that say it shouldn't cause any problems. It does say though that BF can cause small contractions. Are you on pelvic rest when you get pregnant or does your dr put you on pelvic rest? One site did say that sex and BF have about the same effect so if you can have sex while pregnant you can BF while pregnant. Also I think in this thread I linked you said your DR didn't see that the BF was the problem. You could always find another DR for a second opinion. I would trust the dr. But if you are worried and feel ready to wean your son then it can't hurt. One less thing you can control and may help you feel better that you are doing all you can. Good luck. I am so sorry you had another loss.

http://www.justmommies.com/forums/f1...load-crap.html (Is this a load of crap?)

doremi · #3 September 5th, 2011, 12:07 AM

I trust my doctor completely. Deep down, I am almost positive bf-ing is not the issue. I just feel so vulnerable to ANY insinuation that it is something I did that caused these miscarriages to happen. I've decided to cut Josiah's nursing to bedtime and naptime. He is very, very attached. I'm hoping that once I get pregnant with a sticky bean, he will voluntarily wean the rest of the way.

.:Shortcake:. · #4 September 5th, 2011, 05:05 AM

((HUGS)) I can't see where it would be causing it because there are lots of women who BF the whole way through their pregnancy. As far as weaning goes my sister BF my oldest nephew until he was 16 months. He was attached and so she finally just told him "all gone" and handed him a sippy cup. Every time he would ask she would say "what happened to mommy's milk" and he would say "all gone". He handled it really well that way.

*SamF* · #5 September 5th, 2011, 05:21 AM

Hugs! I don't see how it could be the reason either. But he may take to weaning better than you think, kids are funny. For what it's worth I think they connection people are talking about is just an old wives tale.

junglepeachpie · #6 September 5th, 2011, 05:49 AM

I don't know anything about this issue, but I wanted to say I'm really sorry people are making you think the loss was your fault. It's not your fault. These things happen and it really really sucks. The people talking to you don't know any more than your doctor does.

my3sonsplus1 · #7 September 5th, 2011, 08:51 AM

I'm sorry people are making you feel that way. I have had friends who have been BF'ing and had successful pregnancies. I'm not a doctor, but from what I have seen, that isn't a cause for a miscarriage.

pepper73 · #8 September 5th, 2011, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junglepeachpie

I don't know anything about this issue, but I wanted to say I'm really sorry people are making you think the loss was your fault. It's not your fault. These things happen and it really really sucks. The people talking to you don't know any more than your doctor does.

I was thinking the exact same thing!! Please don't beat yourself up about this.

Leanne78 · #9 September 5th, 2011, 10:53 AM

The only reason I had heard that BF might be a problem is if your hormone levels are a little out of whack because of it - and I think that was more along the line of making it hard to get pregnant. Back when I had my first m/c, I was still BF. I stopped cold turkey after the D&C because I thought maybe I was asking too much out of my body. It probably wasn't related at all though. I had read about it lowering your Progest. level too but I don't know if that was just a theory or a real problem. Maybe they could check your levels just to rule that out. I've talked to lots of women though who have breastfed throughout the entire pregnancy with no problems at all. People do it all the time and I don't think there is any solid evidence that it's a problem. Obviously stopping didn't help me any, so I really doubt it was the problem. (((HUGS)))