Breastfeeding second time around

[claireybraxtonhicks]

Am expecting DC2 in 2 weeks and will be breastfeeding again. Am just wondering if I am likely to have a similar experience to last time, or if it completely depends on the baby.

For example dd sucked for 18 hours solid at 2 days old and was screaming for most of that time because she was hungry and my milk hadn't come in. I found it very demoralising and gave her 2 oz of formula to keep her going until my milk came in.
Then my nipples were extrememely sore and cracked so I expressed alternate feeds for a couple of days to give them a chance to heal.

I did then go back to exclusive breastfeeding but looking back it can't have been for that long as by 2 or 3 months old she was having a bottle of ebm before bed (this meant she would go to bed and sleep until 11/12 pm rather than cluster feeding and screaming all evening so was fairly essential for my sanity) and later on this was formula as couldn't express enough for her.

She started to refuse the breast at 5 months which I am sure was due to the mix feeding (still one bottle before bed), and had fully weaned by 5.5 months.

I do have regrets about the way breastfeeding went with her because I would have liked to breastfeed for longer (mainly because found bottles a faff) and wish I hadn't been so quick to doubt myself and give her formula. I think a lot of it was because I didn't know the first thing about breastfeeding before I had her and only read up on it after things had already started to go wrong.

This time I am a lot more informed so would like to think I will find it easier to exclusively breastfeed but am now starting to worry about the excruciatingly sore nipples and constant screaming again, not to mention trying to feed a newborn for hours on end whilst looking after an 18 month old!

Any advice/thoughts?

hi clairey

I was wondering about this too so will look forward to some good advice from wise experienced mnetters..

Your experience sounds very similar to mine with DD and looking back I can't believe how clueless I was about breastfeeding first time round. This time I am determined to phone a bf counsellor on day 2 or 3 if it's not going brilliantly and also to make sure I have a really good latch at the first feed which I think was the start of all my problems last time...

anyway look forward to getting some good tips...

hi guys

at first before the milk comes in she should ve been latching on for a few mins each side only surely??
then building up steadily to half an hour per feed, and then offering the other boob if they want it?

I bf dd for 12 months, it was dreadful at first as I had no idea how to latch her on/she would not open her mouth wide enough
I had a nipple abcess too after she bit me, had to express out of that one for a few days,
lansinoh cream was a godsend to me. Ive just found out I am expecting no.2. so hopefully I will get the latch right from day 1 to avoid lots of pain.

I think you will both be fine this time as you know what to expect, and you know you can do it.

My two were completely different - DD1 fed really well from the start and took a good feed then slept for a good 4 hours at a couple of weeks old. She BF until 18 months and then gave up herself.

DS2 wanted to be fed every 10 mins and never slept slept for more than 30 mins at a time.

I still got cracked nipples as I did the first time around whcih was probably thrush and I also got mastitis again too.

I guess it depends on the size and needs of your baby. I'm not trying to tell you the negs - just that mine were different feeders.

Hi Skid I'll also be making use of bf counsellors. Luckily there is a latchers group here too so I can go along to that for support (wasn't anything like that when I had dd)

Motherhurdicure- I had my latch checked last time and it was fine but the midwife did say she thought it could be due to having one flat and one inverted nipple? They are more prominant now after bf dd so maybe that will do away with that aspect of it!
I hope I do find it less stressful! I like the idea of feeding LO all evening and having that time for just us after dd has gone to bed but am not sure if in reality I will enjoy it! All I can remember about the cluster feeding with dd is dreading the evenings cos I knew it meant hours of non stop screaming and feeding followed by waking every 1.5 hours from midnight!
Hopefully you are right and lo will be able to get more milk out and so won't scream during feeds or wake constantly even after feeding non stop all evening!

With each of my 3, the pattern has been almost identical - nothing much for first 24 hours (except skin to skin stuff, nipple nibbling etc...), then furious (felt like) non-stop feeding every 20 mins or so (JW - I don't think there's necessarily any 'should have' about what babies do at first - mine sucked like mad, pretty much non-stop, but this on the good side, meant supply was quickly brought in and babies never lost any weight at all! OTOH then had over-supply problems! But I'd say, if the baby's screaming in the first week and wants to suck, ya probably want to offer the breast whatever...) I think that 2nd night or 3rd night thing is pretty standard for most BF babies and it soon passes. You can be prepared this time if you know that - however awful that first few days are - you really don't need formula since the cure for a hungry newborn is more BF!

All 3 had sore nipples at first and was surprised with no.2 cos assumed it would be much easier. Discovered I was holding my newborn like a 2 year old (cradle hold) and therefore not latching on well or positioning properly. Sensible BFC adjusted him for me...

I think the point about other kids is also something to think about - having someone around for a good few weeks (it can take that long to establish good feeding even 2nd time) will help enormously, especially if your older child becomes jealous and clingy.

But it has been progressively easier with each - think I've finally got the hang of it, now I'm not having any more babies.

Good luck - I'm sure you'll be well prepared and forewarned.

When I say 'all 3 had sore nipples' I meant of course me

Just let them suck. Don't impose time limits.The more the baby sucks,the more milk will be produced. Simple case of supply and demand.

Loads of people swear by Lansinoh and Silverette breastpads for sore nipples/

I've never bottle fed but I found b/feeding and dealing with a toddler pretty easy.You've got one hand free after all.Easy to feed in a sling or while moving around.

I moved house (alone!) with a newborn and a toddler.

My two were completely different. DD1 fed little and often (she was very small though), cluster fed in the evenings etc.

DD2 fed every 3 hours for 20 mins, went to bed at 8pm with her sister from about 10 weeks and was much easier. Took longer to sleep through the night though - in fact she's still a pain at 20 months, demanding booby at 6am!

I do think that second babies maybe have to be more patient and easy going though.

Good luck - we'll get you through and fingers crossed for an easy time.

Hi claireyb, yes I'm reading your thread with interest too cos I'm really sort of dreading the 1st few weeks as had the exact same exp as you.
well so far I've invested in the silverette nipple cups www.breastfeedingheaven.co.uk already as i am dreading the pain of cracked nipples and I've heard good results from these, i figure they're worth the £20 to have on hand as you can use them as preventative measure too (ie from day1)

HEy also we'll be on the same post natal thread together [hello to skid too!] so we can get through it, gritted teeth and all

hi claire
i hated b'feeding my DD1 and gave up after 3 months. when PG with no 2 i told myself i would give it a go but not let myself get in a state about it again. i now have DD2 of 8 weeks and it's going great guns. soooo much easier this time and i plan to exclusively b'feed for the full 6 months then go on as long as i can. hope that's encouraging!

one word of warning- despite a great latch etc i still got the sore and cracked nipples again, but it only lasted about 10 days and i just gritted my teeth through it. i also swear by lansinoh, take it into hospital and use it before & after every feed.

good luck!

Hiya. I'm currently bfing DS2 and really enjoying it.

It was really hard work - again! - at first getting the latch right and I felt really downhearted on day 3, sat expressing in the bath cos I was getting engorged. For me, in the early days, my mood totally depends on whether we've had a successful feed, so it was really upsy-downsy for a couple of days.

However, once the position was sorted, it was great and I realise now that all the sucking in the early days with DS1 (like you described, for 2hrs at a time!) is often for comfort. I'm finding that second time around, you've got more skils in your repertoire and don't just offer the breast cos you don't know what else to do.

A tip for your toddler - make sure he/she has a drink handy while you're feeding. My DS1 just likes to me included by being told, "I'm gonna feed DS2, would you like a drink as well?" Makes him feel part of the gang.

Good luck x