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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Help! Expecting DS2 by ELCS, still BFing DS1...

14 replies

Xiaoxiong · 23/08/2013 16:07

DS1 is 20 months and DS2 is expected in the next 5 weeks. I still nurse him first thing in the morning - not loads, just a cuddle and feed in bed and then he's off and running about. Occasionally at other times if he's really upset or he's ill or hurt himself.

I'm perfectly happy to tandem feed if DS1 is still keen but I have some questions that my LLL book and kellymom aren't terribly specific about (maybe because everybody is different and there are no answers...)

(1) Engorgement - With DS my breasts went from 34E to 34H with DS1 and then settled down to 34G-ish (depending on the style) which is where they are now. I assume because I'm still breastfeeding they won't go through a change of that magnitude again, or should I be going out and getting a 34J bra? Getting fitted was no use as they said "oh you could grow 3 cup sizes" but when I pointed out I was still feeding DS1 they were stumped as to whether I would get any larger.

(2) Latching/nipple cracking/soreness etc - If I'm already feeding one, does that mean I get to skip all the initial "wearing in" with a newborn - is all that due to the fact that first time round I had never bf before and had to toughen up? Or does it have to happen all over again each time because it's a new baby and a new latch?

(3) Colostrum - I guess my normal milk will stop at some point and colostrum will come in - any idea when this is? Then colostrum will stop and normal milk will come back? Should I stop DS1 feeding while colostrum is in? Confused

To complicate it all I'm having an ELCS as DS1 was 4.5kg and ended up as an EMCS. Even the midwives have discouraged trying for a VBAC - DS2 currently measuring 3kg at 33 weeks and estimated to be 5kg+ at birth. I assume there's nothing more I can do than demand that DS2 is put skin to skin straight after birth and refuse to be parted from him in order to get him nursing successfully after an ELCS but if anyone has any words of wisdom on that, please chime in!

OP posts:
AlphaBetaOoda · 23/08/2013 17:20

I asked these questions earlier this year.

  1. I didn't alter much 2)no soreness Grin
  2. colostrum comes at about 6 months pg, dd3 was quite excited by it Hmm

I had elcs and skin to skin ASAP and no problems, though with dd3 I waited about an hour for skin to skin & she was ok too.

Xiaoxiong · 23/08/2013 17:36

Alpha that sounds really encouraging on all points, thanks so much for your response. I did notice DS asking to nurse a bit more often recently, I thought it was teething but maybe it's colostrum!

OP posts:
Chopsypie · 23/08/2013 17:42

Can't help with most f your questions but I successfully bf both after a c section and didn't have skin to skin for 1 hr or so afterwards the second time. It didn't affect my milk coming in at all and I would think you would have less problems as you already have a supply

poocatcherchampion · 23/08/2013 17:49

OK I can help I've just got home with dd2 after elcs on Wednesday. dd1 is 17mo. when I get a sec I'll post my experiences

poocatcherchampion · 23/08/2013 17:50

they are all positive btw

KittyC650 · 23/08/2013 17:52

I had an ELCS with DD2 when DD1 was 16 months old and still feeding once a day. I'd had an EMCS with DD1.

  1. Almost no change at all to size - hardly any engorgement - so I wouldn't bother about getting new bras straight away.
  1. Feeding DD2 was much easier and less sore, but still a bit of soreness while getting used to her latch. I was also surprised by how hard it was to feed a newborn again - I was so used to a small toddler with proper head control and a much bigger mouth. It took a few days to remember how to latch a newborn on and get her comfortable and feeding properly.
  1. Colostrum came in at about 6 months for me, so there wasn't much milk for DD1 by the time DD2 was born. DD1 didn't much like colostrum and reduced her feeds massively when I was heavily pregnant. I carried on feeding both when DD2 was born, but obviously prioritised DD2, as had 24 hours in hospital with her and she fed every hour. Milk then came in v quickly by day 3, and DD1 was extremely happy that the milk was back. They then shared very nicely.

I didn't get skin to skin with DD2 in the operating theatre even though it was an ELCS as they were very reluctant to do that on the basis that theatre was cold and she needed a lot of newborn checks. Your hospital might be more accommodating. I got skin to skin about an hour later, and she just stayed naked on me for the next 6 hours. She was very reluctant to feed at first as we'd missed the nice wakeful attempting to latch period that they usually do straight after birth. It took a while to wake her properly to get her feeding, and I ended up having her in bed with me all the first night, propped up with a feeding pillow. She was fine then and latched properly and fed for hours.

Hope it all goes well for you.

AlphaBetaOoda · 23/08/2013 18:36

I was also surprised by how hard it was to feed a newborn again - I was so used to a small toddler with proper head control and a much bigger mouth. It took a few days to remember how to latch a newborn on and get her comfortable and feeding properly.

Yes that was me too. It's having to think about it rather than being natural like its got with the toddler. Soon gets easy though

AlphaBetaOoda · 23/08/2013 18:37

Oh & the midwives kept bringing students to see me at home as they don't meet many tandem feeders so watch out for that request!

poocatcherchampion · 24/08/2013 09:20

goody - you've had some other replies anyway.

dd2 was born unexpectedly early on Wednesday after technically an emcs because I went into labour with a footling breech but compared with a much more emcs last time it felt very calm. I was 37 weeks

  1. hadn't got round to buying bras, biobs were def smaller before the birth, then they got even smaller with dd2 taking all the colostrum and dd1 having some when she came to hospital. Friday morning they have got bigger and everyone seems happy the milk has come in. I never got around to buying bras and am glad tbh. might order some online at some point.
  1. dd1 wasn't a huge fan of the colostrum - she has def picked up feeding since Friday morning. as has dd2
  1. dd2 had a bit of a go at my nipples Thursday night so I am a bit sore, I don't think it is getting worse though. hopefully will improve today. no one is hurting me more than another.

I had a really hard time feeding dd1, she lost 18% birth weight and we were readmitted. I think the long difficult birth had a lot to do with it. this time seems such a breeze so far. dd2 is doing lots of wees and pops and seems very settled. it is a totally different experience.
I'm so pleased I'm still feeding dd1 as I'm sure its helped my boobs this time.

just had my first simultaneous feeding experienxe which was fine! and funny!

Xiaoxiong · 24/08/2013 10:42

My goodness poocatcher you are a heroine for posting here while in the midst of it - thank you!

Thanks for all the replies Flowers I'm definitely not going to buy new bras then, and will try to remember the tiny newborn latch is different from a toddler and not get discouraged if it's not immediately a breeze.

It's good to know I'm not such a freak as well! The number of people (even midwives!!) who told me I HAD to stop feeding DS1 at various arbitrary milestones in this pregnancy because I couldn't possibly continue feeding him when the new baby arrives...really hoping it works out and I can put two fingers up at all of them Grin

OP posts:
AlphaBetaOoda · 24/08/2013 18:00

And the toddler is v useful for engorged days!

poocatcherchampion · 24/08/2013 22:04

OK this is my live tandem feeding thread... Grin boobs are getting bigger. much bigger than the baby's head now! no bras fit!

Xiaoxiong · 24/08/2013 22:13

Ooh poocatcher get DD1 on the job quick! I think exploding boobs definitely justify waking a 17mo at 10pm Grin

OP posts:
poocatcherchampion · 25/08/2013 08:30

well they didn't explode in the night. dd1 is about to get the treat of her life Grin

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