Updated July 30th 2025
Maybe you’ve already found out you’re pregnant or you’re currently nursing your baby or toddler and are planning for your next pregnancy. Whatever your situation, I’m going to walk you through what you need to know to breastfeed during your pregnancy.
What can you expect?
There are many people all over the world who continue to breastfeed their baby or toddler through their pregnancy. Your body is preparing to feed the newborn so your body is going to go through some changes. Many moms experience very tender and sore nipples. This happens during pregnancy and this can make nursing feel uncomfortable or painful. Depending on how often your older child is nursing, it might be something you need to take precautions around. If you have a toddler, you can set some boundaries around feeding them.
Another big change that happens is that your milk will transition back to colostrum. When you are around 16-20 weeks along in your pregnancy, your body is going to change your milk. The nutrition will change and the volume will drop because it’s changing back to colostrum in preparation for the newborn. This means your supply will drop. There isn’t anything you can do to try and keep your supply up, unfortunately. Biology and hormones will be making those changes for you.
This is important because if your older child is under 12 months old when you reach 16-20 weeks in your pregnancy, you’ll need a plan for supplementing them. Either introducing formula or using donor milk depending on what your goals for feeding them are. They can absolutely still drink the colostrum. It will be full of antibodies to continue to protect their immune system. So if you’re comfortable, you can continue to nurse them.
Colostrum is also very salty. It’s not sweet like mature breast milk so some older babies and toddlers will choose not to nurse as often with the change and some end up weaning. Though, it is very common and normal for your older child to continue to want to nurse throughout your pregnancy.
Colostrum also has a laxative effect. It helps your newborn pass their first poop (called meconium) and this will also affect your toddler. Be on the lookout for loose stools as this is just likely the result of the colostrum.
Is it safe?
Breastfeeding releases the love hormone, oxytocin. Oxytocin is what pushes milk out of your nipple so it flows and your baby can drink it. Oxytocin is also the hormone needed during labour for contractions. Because of this, you might be wondering if nursing your older child during your pregnancy is safe.
Generally speaking, yes, it is safe. If you have a low risk pregnancy, you can continue especially if it’s desired by both you and your older child. Always speak with your primary care provider if you have any concerns.
Tandem Breastfeeding
You can also begin to think about what your next breastfeeding journey is going to look like. Will you be tandem breastfeeding your children? This means nursing both your newborn and your toddler. Sometimes it’s at the same time, sometimes it’s separate but it’s your body feeding both children.
You can do whatever feels right for you. Some moms choose to wean their older child closer to their due date while others continue to nurse both their newborn and their toddler. Your toddler will not take milk away from the newborn. You can give each child one breast to feed from or allow the newborn to nurse first, followed by your toddler.
If you have a toddler who seems less interested as your pregnancy progresses whether it’s due to the drop in milk supply or the change in taste, you may notice they change their mind when the new baby arrives. Many moms report their toddler being more interested in nursing again because they see their newborn sibling nursing.
The drop in milk supply
The reason your supply will drop around 16-20 weeks is because biology is taking over. You are pregnant. Your hormone levels have changed. High levels of progesterone reduce milk supply and progesterone is naturally very high during pregnancy to help grow your baby and your placenta.
It’s not until the placenta is born that your supply will begin to increase again. Just as it did with your previous baby and breastfeeding journey. Because it’s hormonal, our usual “go-to’s” for increasing supply like pumping, won’t work. This is why it’s important to have a plan for your older baby as your pregnancy progresses.
If you need help
If you need some help for challenges that might come up while you’re breastfeeding like painful latches, low milk supply, pumping issues and more, you can book a consult to work with me under the “lactation consults” tab when you click on my services.