Gossip Girls actress Kelly Rutherford talks to US Magazine about preparing for the arrival of her second child with hubby Daniel Giersch — and at the same time, breast-feeding 2-year-old son Hermes.

“It’s an amazing bond with your child,” says the mom-to-be, 40. “Some cultures do it up to five years, normally. I thought, ‘Well, I’ll just do it as long as it feels right for my son.’”

What’s more, she says, “I was thinner after my pregnancy than before, and I think a lot of it was the nursing. They say it helps your body get back to shape in a natural way.”

While some people don’t think that breast feeding while pregnant is a good idea, the La Leche League makes these good points:

• Contrary to popular belief, in a normal pregnancy, there is no evidence that continuing to breastfeed will deprive your unborn child of necessary nutrients
• Uterine contractions are experienced during breastfeeding, they are a normal part of pregnancy, they also occur during sexual activity, which most couples continue during pregnancy
• Women who breastfeed while pregnant often find their milk supply decreases around the fourth or fifth month. If your breastfeeding baby is less than a year old, watch his weight gain to be sure he is getting enough to eat.
• It’s also not uncommon for the flavor of your milk to change. These changes may prompt some older toddlers to nurse less often or to wean entirely.