please help me keep up with ebf

[mamasmissionimpossible]

I have a 6 week old ds who I have struggled managed to ebf since he was born.

The problem is I have two older dc of 6 and 4 and finding the constant feeding from ds2 means they don't get much attention and start fighting.

I was hoping someone can give me some tips to manage ebf ds2 and giving enough attention to the older dc. I feel like I am failing all of them right now
:(

About to be in exactly your position - today was last day at work, dc3 due in next couple of weeks and 4- and 6-y-os at home. Just hoping the baby waits until they're back at school so their routine is partially in place. Am lucky enough to be in a country where they can be outside a lot and have been talking loads about my having to be sitting down a great deal when the baby's tiny. But I know it will be challenging. Just think of the hassle, though, that goes into preparation of the bottles, time when, even if you're standing up, you're not going to be playing with your older kids either. Not sure it's that much "easier" to do ff. Best of luck.

Have you tried using a sling? You can even breast fed whilst babe is in one, freeing you up a little bit to give your bigger ones attention. I have only done it when my LO was slightly older though I have heard its possible with tiny ones.

Do you have a sling meet or library close? Might be worth getting some advice?

jkklpu - thanks. Sorry for being so negative, the hormones and sleep deprivation don't help! There are lots of positives too, ds2 is lovely

I have been taking them out because it is easier, if they are occupied outside of the house and I can feed ds2 where we are. It's just the relentness demands from all of them that make me wonder if I should ff for some feeds at night to give me a break.

I have tried sling feeing, but seem to end up suffocating the poor little mite or him tearing at my nipple I will look and see if I can find a sling meet.

I wrote similar message few days ago. I only have one other dc of 4 and baby is six weeks. I guess you had a bad day. I try to get out with them all in morning after feeding baby. She will then sleep in pram while I spend time playing with older dc.
Late afternoon harder.... I resort to the telly more often than not while I feed then...
It's not easy tho.

Think about all the hassle of washing and sterilising and making up bottles! All bf'ing involves is whipping your boob out. Well done on getting this far, you can do this!

I've been in your position and it is tough, so tough.

Dd3 has just turned one and I am still happily bfing, although she is now mixed fed with one ff at bedtime that I introduced at about 7 months.

A number of things got me through the early weeks and months. A sling. A LOT of support from DH in that he cooked and tidied up every evening in order to let me get on with cluster feeding dd3. Lower expectations of how much time I could spend 1:1 with the older two dc (4 and 2 at the time) - if I managed to read them a couple of stories that was good going. Taking them out of the house - you're already doing this, I found it helped a lot.

You're right in that it is relentless, but I found the bf got easier as she got a bit older. In the meantime, be kind to yourself and try to banish those thoughts that you are in any way failing them. Giving your older children a sibling - that's amazing!