To wonder how people manage to breastfeed subsequent children

[Mammanat222]

Am I missing a trick here?

Currently expressing due to horrifically cracked and bleeding nipples but plan to go back to boob.

How the hell am I going to manage to bf and a look after my toddler? That is aside from feeding us and god forbid getting any housework done.

OH is off for at least another week but what then?

Genuinely interested.

Nipple shields really helped me with DD, she was tiny and took a few weeks to get the hang of opening wide enough before clamping on.

It is early days yet. Agree with others who say TV helps. Good luck!

I had a horrific first five weeks breastfeeding both of mine and had to express every two hours around the clock as well as trying to BF and making up FF top ups. The second time I also had PND, my toddler was ill and my DH couldn't take any time off! Without my DM coming to stay and extra cleaning and childcare help I would have had to give up and go to formula as physically there was just no way I could do it all. I was lucky in being able to afford it but it was very tough. It all turned around at 6 weeks though and nearly a year later though and exclusively BFing I am so glad I got through as it is so, so much easier now than FF.

Tandem feeding

Also you are not so shell shocked with the second baby and have more to do.

If this is your first make sure you watch a lot of boxsets. You miss them the second time.

I found I had less patience with my last child and breast feeding. In fact I gave up after a few days due to feeling a rising psychopathic rage every time he latched on that was only getting worse.

It wasn't him, I could look at him and just melt. It was the whole sensation of the latching on and the let down reflex. I was raging at my own body.

That was also a big clue that he would be my last. So I stopped breast feeding as it was interfering with me bonding with my child. I daren't look at him while he was feeding because I didn't want him to see a face filled with anger. As soon as I did, everything returned to normal.

Fireman Sam in large quantities (for the toddler, not me, though I did come up with some interesting theories about Norman Price's parentage)

CBeebies and Toy Story x 3.

It's easier in the long run. No rushing back for milk if you're out and toddler is having a nice time and wants to stay out. No sterilising. No trying to cool bottles with baby shouting and upsetting toddler.

Good luck!

I'm 6 weeks in to mixed feeding ds2. Ds1 is 2.9. Mixing bf and ff is good because I can use whatever is easier in each situation. I bf over lunch or tea while toddler is sitting still. I make sandwiches the night before and put fruit and yoghurt on the table before we start. Have a few toys to string the meal out too.

I have a 16 year age gap between my two so no problems here ! There's a trend for bigger age gaps (4/5 years) around here, mostly due to childcare costs, but probably also due to it being easier to deal with an older child and baby as well.

Mammanat. So sorry you have cracked nipples. My answer, which i don't think you'll like, is that I didn't manage.

However, it was cracked nipples, pumping blood, back pain, mastitis and the threat of thrush, plus an excruciating pain in my armpit when feeding that finished me off, not having DD1. (sorry not trying to story top but I clearly am still trying to justify my decision to myself!!)

I got to the stage when I was dreading DD2 waking from her sleeps because I knew she'd need to feed. I fed for 2 weeks and was reluctant to give up, partly as I had fed DD1. But it wasn't actually the end of the world and at 11 weeks DD2 is doing fine.

I think the breastfeeding is a red herring. At the moment, you aren't breastfeeding, you are bottle feeding and have all the faff that goes with bottles and you have to produce the milk yourself! Worst of both worlds!

Just breastfeeding or just bottlefeeding are a different matter and, TBH, both are just as awkward as each other if you are caring for the children alone.

It does get easier and yes, CBeebies is your friend. Als, working out how to read a story to the toddler whilst breastfeeding the baby is a good skill to gain. Housework goes out of the window!

I've got a 3 year age gap, which I'm finding ok when it comes to feeding. I shamelessly let DS play with my phone which he loves doing - so much so that he often suggests that DD might fancy a feed!

Still have our moments, though. In week 2, I discovered that it's possible to simultaneously BF a baby and wipe a toddler's backside.

Great question! I'm expecting twins in May, and pretty much assume nothing will get done and lots of telly will get watched.

Do you have meal trains in the UK? My friends and I use mealtrain.com to help out new parents and ill friends. It's a god send, you can even put your family's food likes and dislikes. I've signed up to help with as many as possible this year because I know everyone will help us out in May. We don't have grocery delivery here.

I remember once WHILST breastfeeding dd2, I managed to get up off the sofa, reach up to get dd1's bottle out of the microwave (which is on top of our fridge), unscrew the lid, test the temperature on my wrist, screw the lid back on and take it upstairs to dh.