What was your first pregnancy symptoms while breastfeeding

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Breast Pain and Tenderness
Decreased Milk Production
Chest Heaviness From Breastfeeding
Fatigue Early in Pregnancy
What are the early signs of pregnancy while breastfeeding?
Does breastfeeding reduce pregnancy symptoms?
Does breastfeeding affect early pregnancy?
Is it harder to detect pregnancy while breastfeeding?

While it’s a common misconception that breastfeeding prevents you from getting pregnant again, many new moms end up with two babies close in age because they thought they were protected. The fact is, it’s possible to ovulate while breastfeeding, which means you can conceive if you’re sexually active during your fertile time. Here are some indications to tell if you are pregnant while breastfeeding

Keep Track of Your Menstrual Cycles
It can take between 13 and 16 months to menstruate again after having a baby if you are breastfeeding. So while missing a period is the first sign of pregnancy for many women, it’s not reliable for moms of infants who may not have had a postpartum period yet. If you have ovulated, however, you can get pregnant before your period returns. Those who have begun menstruating again should note cycles to be aware of fertile times.

Know the Signs of Early Pregnancy
Even if you haven’t missed a period, other early pregnancy symptoms could tip you off that you’re expecting again. Although these are different for every woman, they often include headaches, backaches, nausea, fatigue, breast tenderness, and frequent urination. Keep in mind, though, that tenderness in the breasts could stem from breastfeeding, not from conception.

Take a Test
The fastest way to reliably detect early pregnancy is often a home test. Because most tests are designed to be taken on the first day of a missed period, it can be challenging to determine when to test if you aren’t menstruating. Many women use tests to confirm a pregnancy if they notice the symptoms described above.

Visit the Doctor
A blood test from your primary care provider or gynecologist can detect pregnancy within a week to 10 days after conception.

If you don’t want to get pregnant again at this time, it’s important to use a reliable form of birth control that doesn’t interfere with breastfeeding.

-Birth control pills can be used safely a month after your child is born. If you’re breastfeeding, it’s important to choose a pill that won’t interfere with your milk supply. Most doctors prescribe the mini-pill, which contains progestin.
-An intrauterine device, or IUD, can be inserted six weeks after birth. This device is implanted in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It can usually be left in for three to five years.
-Implants, injections, and patches are other hormonal methods that won’t interfere with milk supply.
-Barrier methods, including the condom, diaphragm, and cervical cap, prevent pregnancy safely while breastfeeding.

If you have questions about your fertility after giving birth, talk with your ob/gyn. He or she can provide the information you need to make the ideal decisions for your family.

Madison is a prolific writer who has been contributing to ModernMom since 2010. She has 4 children and has taken a long hiatus from her 'real job' as an educational psychologist to spend more time with her kids. She loves cooking, organizing, exercising, traveling and stealing a little me-time when she can.

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Many women use breastfeeding as a method of natural contraception until they wean their babies.

This method can be successful, but in some cases regular menstruation can begin before you wean your baby, such as if you start breastfeeding less when your baby stops waking up for night feedings, or when she begins to eat solid foods. You can't predict when your menstrual cycle will return, so you could use a barrier method of contraception such as condoms to prevent pregnancy. If you still become pregnant while breastfeeding, there are some symptoms you may experience.

Breast Pain and Tenderness

One of the first symptoms of pregnancy that a breastfeeding woman may experience is breast pain and tenderness. Women may experience an increase in nipple sensitivity at this time. According to EarlyPregnancySigns.com, pregnancy makes the nipple extra sore and irritated while nursing, triggering pain and discomfort for many. There are some natural treatments for sore nipples. These include the use of a nipple shield, applying Lansinoh cream to the breasts after feeding, and allowing the breasts to air dry after breastfeeding. For many women, extreme nipple tenderness leads to weaning their babies from breastfeeding. Those who continue nursing throughout pregnancy may experience relief from breast pain and nipple soreness as the pregnancy progresses.

Decreased Milk Production

Chest Heaviness From Breastfeeding

Your milk supply with likely slow down when you first become pregnant, according to HealthyChildren.org, which could be a sign of pregnancy. The content and taste of your breast milk will change throughout pregnancy.

A woman may experience decreased milk production and changes in the appearance of her breast milk as her pregnancy progresses. A breastfeeding mother may notice that her child seems to be hungry more frequently and tries to initiate additional feedings.

Decreased milk production and altered taste during pregnancy causes some babies to independently wean themselves from breast feeding.

Supplementing with formula may be a sensible option for mothers who experience decreased milk production during pregnancy. If babies are of the right age, the addition of rice cereal or fruits and vegetables may help to satisfy their hunger.

Fatigue Early in Pregnancy

Fatigue is a common sign of pregnancy in a breastfeeding mother. Breastfeeding puts additional stress on a woman's body causing women who are nursing to feel more tired and sleepy than usual. During pregnancy rising pregnancy hormones can cause an additional increase in fatigue.

A nursing mother who is pregnant may find herself sleeping more than usual and requiring naps during the day. A sensible way to combat fatigue naturally is to consume protein-rich meals throughout the day. Mild exercise, drinking plenty of water, and taking a mid-day nap can also help alleviate pregnancy-related fatigue.

What are the early signs of pregnancy while breastfeeding?

Pregnant while breastfeeding symptoms.

Missed/late period..

Tiredness..

Nausea..

Sore breasts..

Does breastfeeding reduce pregnancy symptoms?

On the plus side, many moms seem to suffer less morning sickness over all when they are breastfeeding. Indeed, some moms say that when they weaned the morning sickness hit the roof.

Does breastfeeding affect early pregnancy?

Many believe that breastfeeding during pregnancy is harmful to the unborn baby. However, research shows that it's safe to breastfeed if your pregnancy is uncomplicated. Breastfeeding won't affect you, your unborn baby, or your older child.

Is it harder to detect pregnancy while breastfeeding?

Many mothers wonder whether breastfeeding will affect the reliability of pregnancy tests. It does not — pregnancy tests measure the amount of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in blood or urine, and hCG levels are not affected by breastfeeding.