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Infant feeding

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

Harder to breastfeed a 3rd DC?

31 replies

Lightbulbon · 10/08/2015 12:19

Dc3's arrival is imminent and the prospect of bf seems so much harder this time!

I've been reading around eg

www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S027795361400495X
And

www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB08694/ifs-uk-2010-chap2-inc-prev-dur.pdf

Is does seem to be a statistical trend that later babies are less likely to be bf than first borns.

I found bf easy first time. I became quite evangelical about it and carried on til 2yo.

But this time, with 2 older ones in school with multiple after school activities etc I just don't see how I can do the 'stay in bed with baby attached to boob' on demand feeding.

I know that in theory I can bf anywhere but in practice I can't do it when I'm actually driving! (Between the school run & activities can be 2 hours a day.)

Is this a typical feeling/experience with a 3rd DC?

OP posts:
Baffledmumtoday · 11/08/2015 10:31

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Baffledmumtoday · 11/08/2015 10:33

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IAmAPaleontologist · 11/08/2015 11:00

I'd bf in front of the teen and mates tbh, I think it is a vital part of normalising bf.

HappyAsASandboy · 11/08/2015 12:03

We are pretty rural and spend a serious amount of time in the car, but I really haven't found that car travel has hindered breastfeeding. I sometimes prompt a feed before we go, and very very occasionally stop to feed somewhere, but normally I just carry on and the baby manages somehow. He's a chunky boy 8 months later, so he must be feeding enough!

On the other hand, if you want to formula feed because you think it will be better for your family, then do it. Family life is a compromise for everyone, and you get some say in who compromised what and when. Personally I'd make the teen manage the embarrassment and breastfeed the baby, but you could equally chose to prioritise the teen and the convenience of a sahp and formula feed the baby. The baby will benefit from a happy home/non-stropping teen but not benefit from breastmilk - weigh it up an decide what's best for your family :)

NurNochKurzDieWeltRetten · 11/08/2015 12:16

Light if you don't want to breast feed then don't - it really sounds as if you're looking for a reason not to, and not wanting reassurance it won't be that hard. Lots of people don't breast feed. You could also start of mixed feeding - breast while you're home during the school day and late evening/ night, bottles from DH while you're out. Mixedfeeding usually turns into bottle only eventually, but you could be laid back and just do it as long as it lasts with the attitude any breast milk is better than none.

It seems obvious but you can feed your baby before you do the school run or ferry to activities and still leave the baby with DH while you do the drive - even newborns are fine for a couple of hours between feeds.

I've breast fed in front of other people's teenage boys without comment or problem - only young kids ever say anything ime because they are less inhibited - I agree I'd breast feed in front of my own teens as it is normal - if they don't want you to feed in front of their mates they can take them to their rooms... If they're plugged into a gamesconsole or busy at a sports club out and about they probably won't notice anyway.

It'syour ddecision to make and you should be able to decide not to breast feed if the idea is making you feel tied down, but if you want to breast feed the fact of having older children at school who do activities and need you to ferry them around is not going to make it impossible at all.

Etak15 · 11/08/2015 19:52

I think the first couple of months unless they're starving babies sleep in the car, I think maybe your overthinking it a bit ( probs due to end of pregnancy anxieties!) the school runs etc I think will be fine, if you have to wait for dc's at evening activities you can feed in the car while your waiting. Or just make sure baby is well fed before you leave for each trip, as they get a bit older they will protest at being in the car seat for too long but by then they'll be old enough to survive an hour at home with dad without being fed or with a bottle if you choose to,

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