[amf4976]

So, my hubby and I had decided to ttc starting in/around September. It's fast approaching and I'm getting scared. I don't want anything to interefere with my milk supply for my daughter. I LOVE the nursing relationship we have and I'm so afraid that if I get pregnant, my supply will dry up and she'll lose interest. On the other hand I don't want to wait too long to get pg, because in a couple years I'll have to do my field expereince for school and I don't want a new born or small baby at that time.
A little background- nursing does not come easily for me at all. Out of nine children, this is only the second I've successfully breastfed, and not for lack of effort. Breastfeeding for some reason is extremely painful for me for about 8 to 10 weeks. When the baby cries to eat, I cry too because it hurts so much. With most of my babies its gotten to be more than I can handle and I've weaned after a few weeks. With this baby (she's 8 months old) I stuck it out and I love it now. When she was newborn, I would keep putting her to the breast and when it got too painful and I couldn't take it anymore, I'd take her off the breast and pump instead, supplementing with a couple ounces of formula a day to make up for the difference b/w what the pump yeilded and what she needed. Then as soon as the nipple/s healed up a bit I'd put her back on and try again. It took several cycles of this and trips and calls to the lactation consultant 45 minutes away and finally it worked. I love our nursing relationship and am so scared that getting pregnant will ruin it. Any advice?
thanks,
angela

[underhermantle]

I nursed my ds all through my pregnancy with my dd. He was 2 when he self weaned and I was the month before dd was born. I noticed a supply drop towards the end however I think it was because he was weaning and nursing less and eating more. He loved nursing while I was PG no problems for me or him! I hope this helps! and ps nursing does take much effort and I do not think it is easy for anyone. Thanks to your good effort and patience you are seeing the fruits of your labor! Yay for you mama!

[frgsonmysox]

I nursed through my last pregnancy and have now been tandem nursing for a year (today!). My milk supply pretty much dried up but my daughter was such a big comfort nurser she didn't care. With yours being so much younger, if you really want to preserve the nursing relationship you might want to wait a few more months.