Breastfeeding the second time around

[OnSilverStars]

Hi.

I don't have a question really... I breastfed the first time around (2 years ago) and found the first month gruelling, but kept at it and BF for 9 months. I put a lot of pressure on myself and was up 4-6 times a night for 8 months feeding.

This time around I want to chill out a bit with it. DD is 2.5 weeks old and I've started pumping more and using formula here and there (maybe once every 2/3 days) when we have people over or when I want to.

For some stupid reason I'm feeling guilty that I was so committed (probably unhealthy) with DS and this time, I'm just trying to BF in a way that's easy and convenient for me.

Were you more flexible and laid back the second time around? Thanks

Maybe I'm overthinking this? Is it easy and straightforward for everyone else!? 🙈

I’m trying to do the same second time around but 10w old is being resistant to the bottle! I’m really craving a bit of independence that her taking a bottle will bring. Even though there is nothing to do and nowhere to go atm!!

I was the same with the first. I left the bottle too long and he wouldn't take it ever. At 9 months i could finally just give him cold formula from the fridge in a sippy cup. I don't want to make the same mistake again! Good luck to you

My 1st wouldn't latch so I exclusively pumped for 10mo (fed for 14) and never gave him formula. I was unhealthily obsessed on his virgin gut. I sent myself mad. While pregnant for the 2nd time I was so anxious about feeding.

DD is 6days old & has so far latched well, so I'm starting to relax a little bit. However I enjoyed the freedom not being the only 1 able to feed her so I will probably pump & introduce bottles at some point, it's so hard to know when though!

I have done the opposite, sort of! I found it really hard with my first and ended up combi feeding after the first few weeks, carried that on until I returned to work (she was 5 1/2 months) and bf tailed off by about 7/8 months. I was desperate to get some time away from her, then felt awful when I got it and couldn’t wait to be back. In hindsight I returned to work far too early and was too desperate to prove that having a baby wasn’t going to stop me living my life as I had before.

With number 2 I felt a lot more prepared but also relaxed, had the same attitude that if it worked great if not I would combi feed again. But she was a totally different baby, feeding was much easier even with my first around, she slept well and apart from slow weight gain and a minor tongue tie we had no issues. I think she had about 3 of the tiny aptamil bottles from the starter packs in the first few weeks and has been ebf since then (nearly 8 months now).

I return to work in a month for a week but then get summer so she will be 10 months when I go back full time. I am so glad I have taken the time this time around and also that my whole approach was much more relaxed, it definitely made bf easier.

Aw that great Irre that you feel so much more relaxed with it this time round. At the moment DD is eating sooooo often I'm getting a bit fed up already. Every hour morning and evening and every 2 hours in the afternoon minimum. We have extended family staying with us at the moment and it's my own fault but I always take myself off to another room to nurse. So I'm sitting by myself (+DD!) in a different room a lot. Keeping at it though for at least a while. Selfishly hoping I can lose some weight with it as well!

You have to do what works for you and if that means a bit of both so you can get a break why not. I’ve used the sling a lot more this time and managed to master feeding in it sitting down so I had my hands free for games/stories etc with no1- that helped massively. I was motivated by weight loss too but sitting next to the biscuits for 7 months put pay to that . Good luck xx