nursing during pregnancy and next baby?

[Guest guest]

Namaste, all -

I'm wanting to hear your perspectives on the idea of "tandem

nursing", where you're nursing two babies/children at the same

time (not twins). I have an almost 11 mo old baby and we are

thinking about going for #2 next year. However, I wanted to

nurse my baby for as long as she wished, ideally, as we both

enjoy the connection. I also know that WHO recommends at

least 2 years of nursing and I am a strong believer in the

benefits to the baby and child if you nurse for longer. I would

probably only nurse her a couple times a day if I became

pregnant.

 

My Vaidya, however, has strongly recommended that I wean

the baby when I get pregnant. I feel very sad about this idea.

What are the ayurvedic perspectives on this? Is it possible

to stay nourished enough to have a healthy pregnancy and

still nurse my baby?

Blessings,

Connie

 

Connie Habash, MA, MFT

Awakening Self - Counseling & Psychotherapy, Yoga, Spirituality

Menlo Park, CA

(650) 996-2649

http://www.awakeningself.com

[Guest guest]

You have brought in a subject which this author was meditating a long

time. This is not simply a question of mother having adequate

nutrition to support two babies, one on breast feed and one in womb.

 

There are two aspects here. When you are breast feeding God has

designed that ovulation may not start to cause this type of

complication. In some cases, however, due to "estrogenic" climate of

Kaliyuga and intevention caused hormone imbalances, the hormones

go "whack" and cycles start. This is generally sensed by babies under

breast feed and taste of the milk, as sensed by them changes. They

stop sucking! This author is telling you the experiences of his

patients, not literature.

 

This prompts the concusion that breast milk and the dhatu which

drives cycles (Estrogen, Progesterone in modern science) require same

energy, which can be supported also by sore breasts during initial

pregnancy when progesterone levels increase.

 

When dhatus are adequate to support a nursing baby and one in womb,

adequate good breast milk supply ensues and no problems come. If in

such a case, pregnancy is avoided, breast feed up to even three

years can be supported. This author is indebted to his mother for

such a good nutrition. A bengalee friend of this author, after third

year, was further fed by his aunt for another year, so we call him a

child of two mothers. It is worth mentioning that his aunt was

nursing a son at the same time. And for some time, he was fed by both

these mothers. For cases where breast feed is inadequate, ayurveda

offers a number of herbs as "galactogogue", to increase breast feed.

Similar western herbs are also existing, which Todd may tell.

However, they must be taken not when feed is almost drying up, but

beforehand when some indication of reduction is seen. There are a

number of home remedies too, which can help increase feed.

 

Never deny rightful milk to your child. If pregnancy deprives the

milk, you may have a psychic conflict and its after effects later;

please see the importance:

http://users.mrbean.net.au/~wlast/hamer.html

 

This author has written about link between breast cancer and

inability to feed a baby for adequate time. A child who could not

obtain sufficient breast milk, invariably gets addicted to smoking,

as some psychological research believes. The unsatisfied desire to

suck milk finally ends up in sucking cigarette smoke in youth days!

Despite 3 years breast milk and 8 years Indian country cow fresh

milk, author smoked for nearly 10 years, an example to support above

research!

 

These are personal views of this author and advice by your local

vaidya should always override, since he knows your prakruti well. If

you wish to play safe, delay pregnancy till baby is getting nursed.

 

Dr Bhate

 

ayurveda, "Connie Habash" <Connie@a...>

wrote:

> I'm wanting to hear your perspectives on the idea of "tandem

> nursing", where you're nursing two babies/children at the same

> time (not twins). I have an almost 11 mo old baby and we are

> thinking about going for #2 next year. However, I wanted to

> nurse my baby for as long as she wished, ideally, as we both

> enjoy the connection.