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Question
i just discovered i am pregnant for the second time i am bout 4 weeks but i am still nursing my 13 month old boy should i stop nursing right away and if so how do u stop right away because i know it usually takes months to do
Hello Brittany, first congratulations! What a wonderful time you are in for.
You can nurse and let nature takes it's course. Your body will continue to produce breast milk. There is really no reason to stop breastfeeding when you become pregnant. Your body will regulate what is needed for you, your baby and your fetus. You may see changes in the volume you produce as your body will gauge all things that impact your breast milk production.
Should you wish to stop breastfeeding, you can use breast milk reduction techniques such as starting to wean in stages which will slow your supply or apply cold compresses to breasts. You can introduce formula slowly and watch the baby's reaction and amount they take. You'll notice engorgement as you supply begins to drop. I can suggest The LaMa Bra as it's cold packs don't really hit the freezing point so your skin is protected. You can visit www.lamabra.com for more details and it's a discreete method. Also women find that bags of frozen peas or chilled cabbage leaves applied to breasts help engorgement as well.
Again, you do not have to stop breastfeeding, your body can do amazing things!
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Answers by Expert:
Sue Ennis
Expertise
I am looking to support the segment of mothers that encounter engorgement issues that prevent them from continuing to breastfeeding, those that do not breastfeed or are ready to start weaning. As an aside, I wish to add that questions asked in terms of those not breastfeeding will not be given guilt for their choice. In many forums, including this one, there is currently no category developed for this "not breastfeeding" audience. I do believe that breastfeeding is best for both mother and child, however, I believe more strongly that there is a lack of support for the woman that for either personal or medical reasons cannot breastfeed. My strengths would be in answering questions related to stopping breast milk production comfortably either right after delivery or after nursing their children for some time, reducing breast engorgement pain and dealing with overactive lactation. Questions I would not try to answer are those tied to emotional feelings as I feel many times women that don't/can't breastfeed struggle with it...and that should be directed to the appropriate counseling channel.
Experience
I am the inventor and founder of LaMa Bra and for years have researched the human body functions, both in process and emotions/hormones to develop a bra to help mother slow or stop their breast milk.
Education/Credentials
I hold a BS in General Biology, a MS in Human Nutrition and an MBA in Marketing.
Also, am the the founder of LaMa Bra found at http://www.lamabra.com that has helped many women with engorgement while breastfeeding and through stages of weaning when ready to stop breastfeeding.
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