Planning to be dc no.2 after struggling with dc no.1

[tattyteddy]

Hello, just wanted some advice and whether there is anything I can do to prepare.

Dc1 is now 4, when she was born I had planned to ebf her, however she failed to thrive and it was recommended that I top her up with formula. At about six weeks she only wanted bottles. I got a little bit down about not being able to bf last time around.

Now I'm 28+6 with dc2 and really want to give bf another go. Has anyone been in a similar position and managed to be no2 after struggling with dc1?

Is there anything I can do to prepare this time around and any hints or tips?

Thanks in advance for any help x

[butternut22]

Hello. I was not able to BF Ds 1. Ds 2 is now 6 months and ebf. I got advice from a private bf counsellor before he was born and she wrote me a plan and spoke to be about latching and visited me at home the day I came home from hospital. I think she just gave a more confidence.

To be honest I think I could have done wit with the nhs support available. DS2 seemed to latch better and find it easier. I also made sure the midwives and the maternity support workers checked my latch and I called them at the first sign of any pain. I visited the local feeding cafe at the hospital on day 3 and they helped me latch as well. I was more confident and more prepared for it not to work second time round and I was less timid about letting people observe me feed. I also looked at youtube videos of latching.

Good luck. I hope it all goes well for you.

[tattyteddy]

Thanks butternut, I'll have a look at your suggestions and find out where the local bf cafes are. I think this time I've a better idea of what to expect.

[StoryOfMyLife]

I read a book called breastfeeding take two by Stephanie Casemore which I found helpful.

I've had no problems breastfeeding dd2 after a nightmare time with dd1. Things I think have helped are skin to skin at birth and feeding her within an hour after birth. She had no top ups or bottles in hospital which has also helped.

I watched videos on YouTube and to be honest the biggest thing was my previous experience, try and think over what went wrong and how you plan to make this different.

Good luck

[GozerTheGozerian]

I didn't manage to bf DS1 - he would never latch on, the postnatal support and advice I had was (in hindsight) crap, and I didn't have the confidence to traipse off round town to various bf cafés or groups with a tiny newborn. So he was bottle fed and I broke my heart over it.

I was determined to try again with DS2 so did lots more research, sought out bf advice, found out where local bf cafés were and read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (can recommend). I also told myself I would give it my best but if it didn't work then I wouldn't stress so much and that DS2 would be fine. My birth plan for DS2 was mainly about bf and my midwife was hugely supportive and really helped in the hours post birth.

In the event, DS2 latched like a pro within ten mins of birth. I did seem help on day 3 due to pain but it got better and he's now 10mo and I'm still feeding him. My own understanding of bf + local support + DS own natural inclination for bf have all made a difference. It's been amazing and such a fantastic experience to have had.

So go for it, but know that if it doesn't work everything will still be fine in the end.

[tattyteddy]

Thanks for all your replies everyone. I'll have at look at the books you've mentioned and perhaps order one. I think I'll try my best and see how it goes and not put to much pressure on myself.