Expecting a Baby, Breastfeeding a Toddler, Gone Dry

by Daniela
(Guayaquil, Ecuador)

Hi, and thank you for offering your help online. I am the mother of a 22 months old girl and expecting another baby on Janurary, I breastfed her for 20 months and it was the greatest thing ever. I had to stop because I got pregnant and had started bleeding. I stopped for two weeks and have gone COMPLETELY dry. I can't obtain anything from my pump, and neither does my baby. I want to continue, if it's possible, breastfeeding both, and she still wants to nurse but i've got no more milk, and sometimes I really feel like we need it (i.e. when she's sick or when she gets scratches, etc...).

Is there a way for me to get my production again or should I just wait for it to come back? Also my nipples hurt so bad each time she tries to nurse so maybe I should really think on weaning her from the breast... Thank you for any tip or advice you might give me!

Answer from the lactation consultant:
It is common for milk supply to dwindle during pregnancy. Herbs to stimulate supply are not recommended during pregnancy but there are a few things you can do to encourage a rebound:
1. Get as much rest as possible
2. Take your prenatal vitamins
3. Drink to your thirst and eat a minimum of 1800 calories a day
4. Try eating oatmeal
5. Nurse on demand.
Worst case scenerio, keep nursing even if nothing is coming out, then when your new baby arrives, you will be able to start right back up again with two (tandum nursing)
Good luck,
Liz Pevytoe, RN, IBCLC

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