Breastfeeding DC2 after formula feeding DC1

[RealBabyFoodBaby]

I'm planning to do as the title suggests really but getting more and more nervous as I really struggled to get DD1 to latch on without help so ended up switching to formula after about 6 days as I wasn't coping well mentally. Any success stories/helpful tips at all?

Think how beautiful DC1 is and if breast feeding doesn't work out or you want a break formula is ok. Don't put any pressure on yourself just enjoy x

Exactly what pixie said but worth researching latch on groups in your area to see what support is available.
Talk to your midwife also they should know what's there locally.

I'd look up sources of support in advance, like breastfeeding drop ins, how to contact a lactation consultant, where to get a tongue tie cut etc etc, so you have it all to hand in case you need some help.

You could even look into hiring a post natal doula to come and help out whilst you get breastfeeding established. I'd also read up about how breastfeeding works, the website KellyMom (a US based website, hence the daft name!) is useful for that.

Also, using formula doesn't mean the instant end of breastfeeding. I came home from hospital with DS2 not latching and being bottle fed a mixture of ebm/formula, and then got him latching on at home and gradually moved back to 100% breastfeeding. Make sure your partner is totally on board and prepared to do pretty much everything else whilst you recover and feed.

Thank you all so much. Of course it does help a bit to know that DD1 had formula and she's amazing! I guess I just didn't realise quite how hard it would be the first time round so want to be more prepared this time. I've just gone and looked up breastfeeding support groups near me and there's a surprising amount actually so I'll have to note down which ones are on, when and where for when baby is here.

I'll check out KellyMom now!

I successfully bf my DD1 to 23 months and am going strong with DD2 at nearly 5 months. I have never used formula (didn't need to) or expressed (couldn't be arsed). Just to give you my background in case it helps contextualise my comments.

I have a couple of friends who have been desperate to bf their second dc after ff the first. Both sought my tips before their dc arrived-I pointed them to kellymom, talked about non stop cluster feeding, sore nipples etc and they claimed to be prepared. Both stopped bf after less than a fortnight as they felt guilty about not being hands on with their first child as they were feeding so much, and neither could get used to the unpredictability of bf (both were trying to 'pop' to places to get things done within that first 2 weeks, rather than snuggling and feeding). I recall having an evening chat/glass of wine with one of them when DD2 was 6 weeks old-my friend just couldn't get her head round the fact that DD2 basically fed on and off all evening and kept asking how I knew she'd had enough/wanted more etc.

It's completely their choice how they feed and all the dc are healthy etc. But if you too are desperate to bf I wonder if you might find it a very different experience to ff and the more prepared you are for the possible differences the better. But what would I know, I have never ff . Best of luck with however you decide to feed baby.

Hi OP.

I'm in exactly the same boat as you. DS was too poorly to breast feed - I managed to express when he was in special care but after that he was still pretty weak and lacked the energy. for about 8 weeks I was setting alarms and waking him to feed

I'm really hoping to feed my second. It's a scary prospect though!

As posted above main thing is to spend lots of time sitting and feeding in first few weeks with a close supply of nice food and drink. Great support on here and other websites x

I am bf dd2 after ff dd1 due to a medical condition she had. My main motivations for bf this time were purely selfish. DH works long hours, travels and is an insomniac and we have no local family support. I knew I wouldn't get much break from feeds even if I did ff. So co sleeping plus learning to feed in the sling means life is easier if I bf. Dd1 has had to get used to me being less available for her and I miss doing bedtimes on my own with her. Honestly, if DH was around more and better at parenting babies I probably would ff. It depends what you found hard mentally last time round about bf and whether you can develop coping strategies in advance. If it was just the latching then focusing on those first couple of weeks then it will improve. If it was the relentless ness, then it does improve but slowly.