The Facts

• True lactation occurs when your mammary glands cause your breasts to produce enough milk to provide for the nutritional needs of your baby through breastfeeding. Lactating during pregnancy is simply a fancy way of saying that you continue to breastfeed one child while pregnant with a second baby. Since your body produces many different hormones throughout your gestation period, pregnancy hormones may pass into your breast milk in small amounts during your lactation but will not harm your nursing child.
  
  

Nutrition

• Lactating during pregnancy requires your body to work extra hard since you're providing nutrition for yourself, as well as a nursing baby and an unborn baby. According to the La Leche League International (LLLI), a worldwide organization that provides breastfeeding information and support for lactating women, you need to take in an additional 500 to 650 extra calories to provide for the nutritional needs of your nursing child. Depending upon what trimester you are in, your unborn baby requires approximately 350 to 450 calories, as well. Failure to meet these nutritional needs may result in lower weight gains for you, your unborn baby and your nursing child.
  
  

Safety

• Although lactating during pregnancy will be safe for most women, you may encounter instances in which weaning your child will be a healthier option for you and your unborn baby. Nursing stimulates your body's production of oxytocin, a hormone that causes your milk to let down and makes your uterus contract. LLLI suggests that if you are experiencing preterm labor symptoms or your obstetrician has advised you not to have sex, then weaning your nursing child is most likely your safest option.
  
  

Misconceptions

• Some women mistakenly identify leaking breasts during pregnancy as lactation, but that is simply your body's way of preparing for lactation, which won't occur until after your unborn baby is born unless you are already nursing a little one throughout your pregnancy. During pregnancy, your mammary glands prepare to produce milk for your unborn baby in response to the increase of pregnancy hormones in your body. Typically, your body is ready to produce milk by month 6 of pregnancy; at this point, you may notice your breasts leaking colostrum, a watery fluid that will provide your baby with nutrition until your milk comes in. However, you won't actually start lactation until after your body delivers the placenta following birth; this event triggers the production of the hormone prolactin, which causes your true milk production to begin.
  
  

Considerations

• The decision to continue lactating during pregnancy is a personal one. Talk to your partner or spouse about your options and your feelings with regard to lactating during pregnancy. Consider your nursing child's needs as well; if your little one is not eating a lot of table foods, then continuing nursing may be a less stressful option for you. According to LLLI, many women experience a reduction in milk production during the 4th or 5th month of pregnancy; if this occurs, you may have no choice but to wean your child. Regardless of what you ultimately decide to do, the decision you make will be the right one for you.