Scared about feeding dc 2

[chocolatestar]

I had a horrible time with ds1. Agony for the first three months, crying through feeds, badly damaged nipples and thrush. I got through it and ended up feeding for 2 years and 2 months and it was great.

Due no 2 in jan. Really scared it will be bad again. Is no 2 easier?

Well it was for me so I hope it is for you. Third has been even easier again. I think the main differences were knowing what to expect in terms of feeding frequency, recognising a good or bad latch (like a lot of people I was told my latch was good when clearly from the nipple damage it wasn't) and being older and wiser and asking for help sooner instead of feeling I had something to prove. Also being used to dealing with a toddler I was happy to have an excuse to sit and eat cake instead of getting frustrated and bored by not being able to get up and do stuff. Congratulations on dc2 and good luck.

Marginally yes. In that we're EBF at 15 weeks despite loads of pain and problems, whereas DS was getting loads of bottles by now. But then he had undiagnosed TT. I think more knowledge is the key really.

The thing is I don't believe my latch changed actually, not that I noticed. The night my milk came in the midwife had told me that DS would just want me to feed non-stop and I let him. After that night they were sore, then I got an infection, then I got thrush. After a few days of this they were badly damaged and I was in agony.

I feel more confident about what to do if I get bad nipples again. I found air drying made it worse and keeping it moist helped for example. I only got through it the first time because I had no other children to look after though.

I won't give up, I know that. I was bloody minded about it the first time and I will be this time but I felt quite depressed after I had DS and I think it was partly because of the feeding problems I had.