To want to exclusively bf against DP's wishes?

[chroniclackofimagination]

DS2 is 3 months old and feeding well but often, as is normal for breastfed babies.

I partially breastfed DS1 for 9 months but he had formula top ups from day 1 because he was born with low blood sugar (I had undiagnosed GD). As DS1 was also a big baby and my first I was constantly worried he was hungry and didn't trust I was making enough milk.

Eventually the top ups became more frequent and m y milk dried up, which combined with the fact that he preferred the bottle as he got older and more active meant I stopped breastfeeding before I wanted to.

This time I have established nursing properly, DS2 is gaining weight steadily and I just don't want to interfere with it. DP thinks the commitment to nursing and the time it takes means I'm less available to DS1, now a two year old and to DP himself. I think he would also like to feed DS2 and I struggle to express milk in any quantity. To be clear he doesn't want me to stop breastfeeding, just to introduce some formula too. I don't want to, AIBU?

[babiesinslingsgetcoveredinfood]

Maybe But maybe her dhs expectations aren't reasonable?

IME dad's sometimes have more trouble bonding with second children & subconsciously favour dc1's perceived needs.

[chroniclackofimagination]

The additional income is extra for our future to facilitate a bigger home closer to good schools in a few years. So not exactly urgent but prudent and in both kids interests.

The problem is that as we are providing a service we are reluctant to turn down work and risk losing clients. In an ideal world I'd take a break until DS2 is a bit older.

It's a lot of shared responsibility and another thing to negotiate. I'm not sure working with one's OH is the best idea! It allows me to work from home though, which I really appreciate.

[babiesinslingsgetcoveredinfood]

I'm afraid that jeopardising ebf would be a deal breaker for me, it's such a short period of time, but is so important, ESP at 3 mo!

But then my DH would agree with me on that...

[BeCool]

YANBU - get DP to feed you while you feed baby :)

Does he bath the baby? That's a lovely personal close thing Dad's can do to bond with babies IMO & experience. lots of skin on skin contact and intimacy . between them

[WafflyVersatile]

If you had soley bf with DS1 then he would not have had bottle feeding to miss. Lots of people bf while having an older child so that is not a great reason. Plus, as said, he could spend time with DS1. I can see both sides though. Being able to feed baby would make him feel more involved in the early stages and it's not unreasonable to miss that.

Maybe you can approach this with coming up with/discussing positive ways that you can all play your part as a family and DP feel included and useful etc. Rather than him feeling he is missing out a bit. He needs to understand that bf etc is going to be baby led to a great extent. What works for baby is the main thing. If he wants more of your time for him then there are probably things he can do to lessen your workload and make that possible.

[WafflyVersatile]

What BeCool says about bathing for starters.

[gimmecakeandcandy]

Shocking that her dh is being called selfish maybe23? Really? Of course he is selfish, who turn to formula when she is doing so well with bf. I bf my second who came along when my eldest was 23 months and it IS achievable and your eldest will be fine and adapt. Don't feel guilty for giving your baby the best nutrition you can!

[gimmecakeandcandy]

The best thing for a baby (in MOST cases, and I mean nutritionally) is breast milk so if she can give her baby breast milk then he is being selfish. What happened to getting through hard times and just getting on with things? Yes it is hard to do but so? That's part of life and sometimes we need to do what's best and the best thing for a baby is being fed breast milk.

[fairylightsinthesnow]

I think you have to weigh up all the aspects. Yes, nutritionally, ebf is best for the baby but there is a whole family to consider; children do have to fit in with each others naps, activities etc. Half playing with DC1 while bf with one hand is not the same as proper, down on the floor playing around time, the financial aspects are important and if the father feels that he would like to sit quietly with his newborn in the small hours and bond, who are we to dismiss that as selfish? Can you imagine if a mum came on here and said she wanted to bath her baby but her husband always claims it as "his" task so she can't? Would she be derided as selfish for wanting to be with her child? A few bottles in the mix at this stage is not going to HARM the baby, its not poison. Ultimately, OP, only you know all the different elements of this but I honestly don't think that the difference a little mix feeding vs ebf would make at this stage is an issue when balanced against all the other factors.

[noblegiraffe]

The OP had to top up her DC1 from birth, it affected her supply and she had to give up bfing before she wanted to. I imagine that was quite difficult to deal with emotionally. This time, she's got it sorted, able to ebf and yet her husband is suggesting that once again formula is on the table. Not because the baby is starving but because bfing is a bit inconvenient.
OP doesn't want to give formula, understandably so given how hard she has worked to avoid giving formula.
I think another three months until solids isn't really that big an ask for her. And ff won't take away from the fact that DC1 will occasionally need to wait for attention.

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

I don't think her DH is necessarily being selfish to raise the idea - that seems a bit strong. But I think he should recognise that it's largely her decision, and she's happy continuing as she is - which will be best for her baby and not make any significant difference to DS or probably DH come to that !

[GirlOutNumbered]

My DH loves the fact that I ebf so he's doesnt have to do night feeds!

I have a toddler too and he just has to wait while I feed. It's fine as he gets all my attention when baby is sleeping.

At three months the hard work is done and they will start to feed less, YANBU to put baby first.

[jellybeans]

YANBU at all. I hate the argument that men should have equal everything including feeding the baby. selfish! It should be about the baby and not dad! I bf twins also while having a toddler, it was fine. I ebf DC5 for 11 months and DH is still very close to him.

[jellybeans]

'Can you imagine if a mum came on here and said she wanted to bath her baby but her husband always claims it as "his" task so she can't?'

It is nothing like that. Bf is best for baby! I HAD to ebf DC5 as he had severe reflux. Dad can bond without feeding pretty well! Men don't have breast milk ffs! Not all women can express-I couldn't. Why are people so bent on making out mothers and fathers are exactly the same for a newborn baby?

[StitchAteMySleep]

YANBU I have solely breastfed dd2 and managed to do it even while monitoring dd1 on a climbing frame using a stretchy wrap sling. Dd2 doesn't do bottles, plus I just couldn't be bothered with the faff. Only thing is now I want to go out a bit more I am a bit stuck. If you might want the odd hour off at some point it is something worth thinking about. Some tips to get more when expressing are:

Express first thing in the morning

Express while feeding on the other side

Express after a bath or shower

Drink fennel tea

Get a better pump or one better suited to you.

[pollypandemonium]

If dc2 is being weighed regularly and a good weight then it may be that you problem is more around negotiating attention to your toddler. With the right approach he will get used to the fact that he can share mummy with baby. Try to get one to one time with him regularly and he will be fine. Don't feel guilty this is a normal stage for a first born to go through.

[CSIJanner]

Try a ringsling or a stretchy woven sling (Moby/ wrapsody/ Kari-Me) carrying and BF at the same time. You might be better going onto FB and searching FSOT slings and things, asking the ladies (and gents) advice there. A lot of the mums I know manage to sling and BF at the same time which allows for hands free writing, cooking, working, sibling time!

Also, babies get so used to the sling that even daddy can calm them down when they carry them in one (with maybe a scarf or a iece of your clothing) whereas before they couldn't. Would your DH be open to trying a sling?

I feel you pain though. I had to entertain a 3yo whilst nursing/recovering from a c-section and it was difficult but we got a routine and muddled through. DH now thinks I should stop nursing and put LO2 on cows milk. I told him it was bloody rude to call me that! You need to do what you feel is best - you are bound to feel guilt over LO1 as they've had your undivided attention all this time before. I did but once LO2 was old enough to allow a few hours between feeds, I made sure that I spent some quality time with LO1. Might even make the cinema for no doubt another cartoon next week

[TryDrawing]

Arf at dads struggling to bond with ebf babies. Dd is ebf but who does she go to and kiss in the morning?

And I quote: "Dadadadadadadadadadadada!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"