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Second baby due - breastfeeding

6 replies

Dollar · 08/12/2010 12:21

I am expecting our second child next week and am keen to breastfeed the baby for longer than I did with our first child (two months). My concern is that I remember how time consuming breastfeeding is and I don't know how I will have the time to feed whilst looking after a two year old as well. This is also adding to my worries about how our son will feel about the new baby if I am constantly busy feeding. I know that women do this all the time (my mother breastfed six of us), but would appreciate any ideas of how I can manage this.

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Getoutofmyhouse · 08/12/2010 12:30

Not much help but flagging my place as I am about to have no 2 as well. But then again I do think surely the baby will need feeding wheyher it be breast or bottle. I had presumed bf would be easier as i won't have the extra syerilising (sp?) to do. Still I am in the market for any hints and tips on how to b3st juggle a newborn and two year old!

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faverolles · 08/12/2010 12:36

When I was bfing dc2, with a 2 yr old, I made sure we had plenty of books to look at together, he had a little table set up with colouring things, and a box of toys nearby. Oh, and cbeebies of course!
I didn't find it too tricky, because dd2 tended to be more difficult and cluster fed every evening, when DH was back home, and he took over with dc1.

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camdancer · 08/12/2010 12:40

Cbeebies.

I did a lot of breastfeeding sitting on the floor. That way I could play with DS while feeding DD. I never managed no handed feeding but could usually use one hand to push a train along or turn pages of a book. Basically, I tried to make it just something that happened while we were playing rather than something where I had to be apart and separate IYSWIM.

My DS did want to try breast milk a few times. I didn't have a problem with it and let him. He quickly found he couldn't do it properly but really he just wanted to cuddle like a baby rather than actually have any milk.

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Octaviapink · 08/12/2010 14:06

Am currently bfing 2 week old and entertaining an 18 month old. It is hard work, but I agree it's still easier to bf than it is to formula feed - apart from anything else you don't have the stress of waiting for a bottle to heat up while newborn screams and toddler wants attention too!

I have lots of books around the house and DD generally looks at those while I'm feeding. Also I try to feed DS while DD's asleep as much as possible.

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Zipitydoda · 08/12/2010 22:48

I did most feeds when DS1 (3) was with me sitting cross legged on the floor feeding DS2 and playing with DS1.. The feeding just happened and slotted in with what I was doing with DS1 and was much less hassle than 1st time and much easier than faffing with bottles. Usually DS1 didn't really seem to notice I was feeding DS2.