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Breastfeeding/the right time to ween from breastfeeding

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Expert: - 11/12/2007


Question
I have a 10 month old who is allergic to dairy and reacts badly to soy products.  She also has eczema that flares up badly if I have the tiniest bit of anything dairy!  I have gone the last 6 months without regular dairy in my diet.  I would like to wean from nursing when she turns one and have no idea what to give her as a substitute for breastmilk.  Also I was wondering if it is possible to breastfeed while pregnant and what are the chances of getting pregnant if breastfeeding without a regular menses.  I know there are a bunch of questions in there!  I hope you can help me with them!!  Thanks for your time!

Answer
Hello Kelly - interestingly enough, my nephew had the exact situation as an infant (he's now 13) but I remember my sister trying everything and him continually getting rashes.  BUT, she finally hit the right chord when she gave him goats milk, which he still drinks to today.  Not sure if you have tried that, but it varies greatly in compsition in terms of the allergic reactions by cows milk, soy or other diary or milk sources.  So, might be worth seeing if that can work for you.  

As for getting pregnant, it sure is possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding and common enough.  However, it depends on if your cycle has returned which can be strongly regulated by the hormones that are producing your milk supply. So getting pregnant is tied to have a cycle...albeit regular or not, just at the point in the cycle to conceive.   And shound you get pregnant while breastfeeding, it is just fine to continue.

Nature will generate what your body needs for the baby, what is needed for breast milk production and also to make sure you have what you need.  Just remember to stay well hydrated along the way..

Good luck and all the best!!!

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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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