Is it possible to BF 2 under 2?? Experiences please

[WhiteBow2223]

Hi all
I have 2 babies, eldest DS is 16 months and this fella is 12 weeks. I breastfed my first till 3 months at which point I introduced formula as his weight gain was so poor and failure to thrive.

This time around I'm delighted as DS2 is gaining weight like a dream and no issues latch wise etc. My problem now is that since birth DS2 is stuck too my boob for food and comfort. Its just that this is really hard to manage with a toddler who's just learned to walk, preparing 3 meals a day, getting out and about with 2 so young etc. The longest he will go is an hour between the end of a feed and the beginning of another. My back is aching and mentally I'm getting very bad somedays as I'm tied too the couch and can't spend time with DS1. I remember my mental health improving with DS1 improving when I switched to formula, but still felt so guilty because I believe BM is so beneficial. it's such a good feeling this time to be able to breastfeed DS2 with no trouble and see his weight gaining very well. I've tried a sling but I have back problems since DS1s birth so I can't carry too much weight. Also we bed share so I know if I change to formula I will have to try him in a cot and the thought of him not settling in a cot/with no boob terrifies me!!

Has anyone BF successfuly with 2 under too? Or how was it changing to formula with a baby so young?

I'm tandem feeding two under two and so are loads of mums in my breastfeeding support group. Join one via NCT, la Leche League, Peanut etc and you'll find there is so much support and advice out there!

Do you have any specific questions I can help with?

I have a 17 month gap and my young one is 3 1/2 months now and on the boob every hour or so, too.

I just feed wherever so I can keep playing with my older child. If I'm cooking or out or need to be mobile I carrier feed. Definitely a skill worth practicing.

Perfectly possible.

@Flittingaboutagain thanks ya I haven't been on to any groups since having this baby but I'll look in to it. Thank you!

What carrier do you use for feeding? I have a wrap sling I used for a month for my first but I despise it! I tried to feed in it but my boobs are so low I had to hold them up, it wasn't a good idea 😂 Have a normal ergo baby carrier that's from 4 months too..

I want to add, I mean breastfeed 1 baby with 2 under 2. My DS1 is not breastfeeding anymore I'm just feeding my new baby.

I have 26 months between my 2 so not quite 2 under 2, breastfed DS until 20 months and now EBF DD who’s 4 months. I’d much rather be breastfeeding than faffing with bottles. So easy to soothe a baby with a quick boob. Especially bedsharing as you’ve already pointed out.

There’s definitely challenges though with a toddler as well. Getting a good sling you can feed in as well is a game changer. I use and Integra and I can feed DD in it by loosening and dropping her down. I’ve chased DS round a park while feeding.

My DD was 20 months when DS was born. DS is EBF and in the early days I would set out DD's toys and let her play while I was stuck to the couch feeding, we'd also read books and ms rachel on YouTube sometimes kept her entertained. I have found DD is quite happy to play by herself and it's amazing watching her use her imagination. DS is now 6 months and regularly goes a few hours between feeds so it's gotten much easier. I always had mum guilt when feeding DS stuck to the couch but looking back it seems so worth it as they're both thriving.

@BuffaloCauliflower thank you! Yes bottles are a faff, it's just hard to keep trucking on being's stuck on the couch feeding for what feels like most of the day. I feel guilty like I should have more quality time for my toddler and meal prepping has become so arduous and takes me twice the time with one of them being fussy 😂. Maybe bottles this time around might be harder. Becuase your right, the whip boob sooth really is magic!! I really need a good sling for feeding so far I haven't found the right one. I'll check out the integral thank you x

@BuchananBaby heya,yes i heard alot of mums tell me it was great after 4 or 5 months and I really want to get too that point of longer time between feeds and experience feeding a baby at that stage. as I never got beyond 3 months. It's lovely to hear that about your daughter and actually my toddler he is the same he plays very nicely alone. And he likes to cuddle up with me when I'm feeding and watch cartoons. So we have good moments. Some days are just extremely stressful if one of them is fussy or overtired and trying to balance it all. Like putting my toddler to sleep for a nap when the baby starts screaming for a boob 😭 I feel like throwing my hands up and I start to imagine just giving him a bottle and settle him for more then 1 hour. I don't have any help from family so it's tough. Day by day for now!

I didn't tandem feed.

DD1 I fed till she was 13 months. DD2 was born when the eldest was 21 months. I fed DD2 till 12 months. It was challenging at times. Definitely got easier as DD2 got bigger at fed less.

15 months between mine and I fed the eldest until just after they turned 3 and youngest until 2 years of age. I am well and truly done with BF but it is possible. In fact, out of everything children related, BF is what I found the easiest.

I did, but the 16 month old only fed once or twice a day. Towards the end of my pregnancy with dd3, dd2 used to break off feeding to have a drink of water (I laughed), I guess because colostrum. She obviously didn't need it much as she was eating but I fed them both for about 3-4 months. Baby would feed at 5am, dd2 at about 7, school run with dd1, then baby again about 9. Can't believe looking back that it worked!

Oh yes I rarely fed them at the same time, didn't like the feeling. But I did do it a few times.

@WhiteBow2223 just remember you can only deal with 1 at a time. When my DD goes for a nap I put the dancing fruit on YouTube and it keeps DS entertained for 10 mins while I get her sorted. I never BF DD so it's been a massive learning curve for me. The cuddles on the couch with both your babies is the best ❤️ you've done amazing to come this far. In the beginning when days got hard I used to think tomorrow can't be as bad as today and that's honestly what's kept me going for so long because it absolutely gets easier x

Ah okay I misunderstood.

I think it depends on whether the issue is practical or emotional or both Practically, feeding in a carrier is a useful skill, as is having special toys or books that only come out during feeding so special enough to hold your toddler's attention, shut yourself in a room and block the doors before a feed (sometimes in the early days or during a particular time of challenge I'd have to sit and feed on the floor to block the door) sing songs for distraction for the toddler, play peekaboo or hide and seek etc.

The longer you feed breastmilk the longer the benefits and it also offers great soothing and pain relief qualities so keep it at! Well done for getting this far.

@WhiteBow2223

Integra are brilliant. So easy to get on and off too. Feeding takes a bit of practice but once you’ve got it you’ve got it. Also a good feeding pillow like a boppy so you can feed baby while you’re sat on the floor with your toddler. Don’t be afraid of some TV time if it helps too. You’ll get there!

https://integrababy.co.uk/