thoses of you who bf 2nd babies how the hell do it manage it ?

[robinredbreast]

hi im only 6 and a half weeks into bf baby
and just wondering how the hell do you manage to bf and 2nd baby in a few years time ?
when you have iother children to look after ?
is it even harder then ?

[Kathyis6incheshigh]

no, the bf itself is easier because you've had more practice, so you're better at doing it while cooking, tidying up etc!

[Spidermama]

You just do robin. For a start you know how to do it and so it's all easier. Also I found that my body was better and more efficient at making milk for subsequent babies. They didn't need to suck for nearly as long.

It's certainly tough though, but then having a new baby is tough.

Congratulations by the way. BFing gets much easier. If you're six weeks down the line you should be very proud of yourself and it will get easier and more enjoyable from here.

[notnowbernard]

Personally, without many problems really... DD1 old enough to understand baby crying = baby needs milk... old enough to get a book out/watch cbeebies/play with dolly or whatever.

But did have to deal with a few "ok, think I'll decide to go and wee all over the carpet just as you've had a let-down" moments from (potty-trained) DD1... but that's another thread title, I think

[ChasingSquirrels]

way way easier here with no 2 (and no 1 wasn't hard one he got the hang of it). to my mind (once post the initial 6 wks mark) the question would be the other way round.

[2Happy]

Agree with Kathy. The whole baby thing is (IMO) much much easier second time round, every aspect. But it's worth preparing a child for the arrival of it's sibling - teaching them to turn their own book pages, selecting a few favourite toys into a basket they can bring out at feed times. But it's amazing what you can do while simultaneously bfeeding - reading, cuddling, playing lego. It's all good . Mostly...

[ChasingSquirrels]

and ds1 (3.4 when ds2 was born) would tell me to feed ds2 as soon as he started crying

[PollyParanoia]

Ditto with second time being more efficient. With second one, within a fortnight my letdown was so rapid that could feed in five minutes. First time round I was pinned to the sofa for hours on end watching daytime tv. Those were the days...

[Highlander]

honestly, it's a piece of cake. Newborns have this amazing ability to tune out to the noise of grumpy toddlers!

[oxocube]

Not really! Lots of early cuddles in bed with toddler when baby is feeding, then more cuddles on sofa or sharing a book with toddler or chatting to them while they build with duplo, train track etc. At least thats what I did. Sometimes one or both screamed, sometimes it all worked beautifully . I have 3 kids now aged 11, 9 and 5 so maybe the spacing made it easier. It is all very possible. I'm guessing this is your first baby and that you are really tired but doing a great job. Don't bother thinking about baby 2 just yet - concentrate on you and baby 1!!

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

Well, you just do.

I think 2nd time around you are more confident - particularly about feeding out and about. You are also more familiar with the leakage, you have learned more tips about dealing with it, the best breastpads etc.

I struggled 2nd time around, but, it turned out that I, and my DS had thrush (in my breasts and in his mouth). So I was extraordinarily sore, and he had a very sore mouth. Bad combination.

It depends on the age gap with the 2nd child too I think.

Sounds like you are doing well. One of my fave MNetters best b/feeding tips is only plan to b/feed for that day, not the next week, or month etc, just dont look ahead.

Oh, and never take seriously a need to give up in the middle of the night.....

[robinredbreast]

well all i do at the moment is feed all day !
sitting around all day !and i was wondering how the hell could i do this for future children when id have a toddler charging around or going to school etc
vendi i love that tip

Sounds like you are doing well. One of my fave MNetters best b/feeding tips is only plan to b/feed for that day, not the next week, or month etc, just dont look ahead.

im terrible for planning ahead

as you can see lol
and setting myself difficult targets ill take that one on board

[sarahgg]

i bfd my 2nd & it was sooo easy. My 1st had all kinds of probs latching on etc so only fed for 8 wks, had a horrid time and suffered PND. 2nd baby i was dreading, determined i would suffer the same -not true. BF her was so easy for the start although i was sure I would bottle feed. But what a relief! No washing/sterilising bottles/making feeds. i just fed her when and where i could fit it in - even when 1st child started school one week later. I loved it. Much easier than bottle feeding

[Baysmum]

Simple, while bfeeding my 5 week old today, my ds (age2) filled the time by scribbling all over the bloody walls!

[Washersaurus]

Baysmum - I have 3wk old and 2yr old DS'. I have just discovered the joys of the aquadraw sets to keep DS1 occupied whilst I bf DS2.

He has been happily scribbling on his thomas the tank engine pictures since Sunday!! Prior to this he coloured himself in using purple felt tip. - the most difficult colour to get off I discovered

It hasn't been too bad bf...so far, but there is nothing worse than when DS1 is acting up and doing something he shouldn't when I have DS2 on me feeding. All you can do is watch with horror/scream at them hysterically to stop it

[2Happy]

Hey Baysmum - ds1 did similar with toothpaste and our (dark blue) sofa

[MrsSpoon]

Much easier than finding time to stand and wash bottles and make up feeds. I found that I could go everywhere that DS1 wanted/needed to go and feed at the same time. I found b/feeding much easier second time round and mastered the art of walking and feeding DS2 at the same time which did come in handy on a few occasions.

I should just add though that my DS1 was almost 3 1/2 when DS2 was born, I think age gap can make a difference

[pooka]

Wasn't really a problem.

Was much more proficient generally at just carrying a baby one armed. OFten fed while doing other things, like reading to dd, cooking and so on. DD would do something and I could help one armed. I do remember with dd, that I initially felt like I couldn't move while feeding, even using the phone felt odd! But with ds, he pretty much fed on the go.

would add as well that he was less proficient than dd and more prone to flailing around.

[MrsSpoon]

One thing I would add, I don't know if anyone else has mentioned, but enjoy this time, even although I found the whole feeding thing easier second time round I craved the one to one time that I had with DS1 that you just don't get second time round (except in the middle of the night, which is a bit of a double edged sword, although I will say I enjoyed the night feeds better second time round as it was just quiet time feeding DS2).

[mummypigoink]

RRB (you're not a Hull KR fan are you??), I thought exactly the same when I was at the same stage with my first, but EVERYTHING was easier with the second.

having dd1 was a major life changing event (duh), but dd2 was just like, normal life, 12 hours in hospital, go home with new baby, normal life resumed.

weird!!

[Emlo]

I have 2 16months apart and only breast fed the 2nd for 3 months, but this was because of her reflux. The my oldest didn't seem to care, and definetly was not interested.

[Jacanne]

It's weird but I don't remember much about BF DD2. DD1 was 2.4 months when she was born but BF never seemed to impact on our relationship at all. I would BF sitting on the floor playing a game with her, or in the chair while she sat on the arm and we shared a story. Sometimes she would try and help by putting her hand on my breast, bless her. Some people suggest having a box of new activites that your older child can do on their own that is specially for BF times. I think I also relied on the TV alot in the early days but I'm not ashamed of that. DD1 had to make way for DD2 most of the time so we tended to feed round her, ifyswim. I made sure we kept up with all of DD1's usual activities and BF on the go.

I do think that the frequent wakings that DD2 inflicted on me were due to the fact that her feeds were often disturbed so she needed to make up for it at night.

[blueshoes]

DVDs ...

[determination]

Definately easier 2nd time round and also with the help of a baba sling