Was breastfeeding going well but now you’re experiencing a sudden drop in breast milk supply? Don’t panic, but you might be pregnant. Anytime a mom tells me about a sudden drop in her milk supply, one of the questions I ask is if there is a possibility she might be pregnant. And then a suggestion to go pee on a stick!
Sudden Breast Milk Supply Drop Explained
A sudden or drastic drop in milk supply when breastfeeding has been going well may be a sign of pregnancy. And yes, you can get pregnant even if your period hasn’t returned yet. The sudden change occurs because the hormones that support a pregnancy do not support lactation.
You might experience a sudden drop in your milk supply soon after conception. But most commonly, it drastically drops around the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy. This typically occurs because that is around the time your breasts begin making colostrum to prepare for the new baby.
From my own personal experience, I became pregnant with my second baby around the time my first baby was 15 months old. She ended up self-weaning around 18 months old which was likely due to the drastic drop in my milk supply. I could tell when she was nursing that she wasn’t really getting anything. She would be frustrated at the breast and would look at it like something was wrong!
Is it Safe to Continue Breastfeeding While Pregnant?
It is always recommended to check with your health care provider who is managing your pregnancy if it’s safe for you to continue breastfeeding while pregnant.
Research shows there is usually no reason to wean unless you are experiencing a high-risk pregnancy. This would mean your risk for miscarriage is high. Something to keep in mind is that breastfeeding emits the same hormonal response as experiencing an orgasm. So typically, if it’s safe for you to have sex, it’s safe for you to breastfeed.
Breastfeeding While Pregnant
There are a couple important things to keep in mind when breastfeeding while pregnant.
Your nipples may become extremely tender and sore during the early stages of pregnancy due to the hormone shifts. This can make breastfeeding challenging and unfortunately, there isn’t much we can do to improve the symptoms since they’re related to the shift in hormones.
This leads me to my next point which is breastfeeding aversion. A breastfeeding aversion is an emotional or physical response to breastfeeding that brings you distress or makes you want to stop breastfeeding. When I was nursing my second baby and became pregnant with my third, I experienced breastfeeding aversion. My nipples were sore and tender and breastfeeding actually made me feel irritable. Although this doesn’t feel great, it is normal.
Your milk will shift back to colostrum around 14-20 weeks of pregnancy. This is a normal physiological process in preparation for the new baby. If you became pregnant before your current breastfeeding baby turns 1, you will want to closely monitor their weight gain to ensure they’re getting enough milk and the right amount of calories they need.
Your body is now making milk for the new baby due to the hormone changes. An older infant (6+ months) may do okay, but a baby less than 6 months old relying solely on breast milk should be closely monitored.
Once your milk transitions to colostrum, the flavor will also change. Some breastfeeding babies do okay with the change, while others may self-wean.
You may need to increase your calorie consumption more than usual while pregnant and breastfeeding. Speak with your provider about the amount of calories you’ll be increasing. And ensure you’re consuming enough protein as well!
This can be a big change, but you got this mama! Don’t forget to ask for help when you need it.
