Any tips for BFing a newborn with a toddler to look after as well?

[SwalisWantsaPeacefulChristmas]

I managed to BF DD for 15 months (stopped because I was pg with DC2 and it was so painful). Anyway, I would like to do similar for DC2 and definitely want to BF again but I have no idea how I'm going to cope. How on earth do you cope with a growth spurt or baby wanting to feed when you need to cook your toddler's dinner? And what on earth do I do if DD asks for a feed? Any other tips greatfully received!

TIA

had a stack of new n exciting toys to give her every time i breastfed (like a bf box only to come out when feeding) though tbh this didnt work so much for us cos ds fed constantly [smile

• learn to bf while standing and walking around
• get a sling you cand bf in
• dd has never asked (and have been fairly encouraging) but she has had some of my expressed milk in a bottle. she just thinks it's for babies I guess.

didnt bf dd but ds is now nearly 6mths and it's been SO much easier and more convenient than trying to do bottles with a toddler I reckon. we all co-sleep at the moment which is v easy for night feeds, dd v good at sleeping through it (like dh ). Though ds doesnt really cry at night anymore.

congrats!

DS2 a week old and feeds seem to be pretty easy, despite him feeding every 2 hrs - he's quiet in between and I cab=n read/chat to DS1 while he's feeding. Tried feeding in (wrap) sling for first time this eve and worked ok - cd walk around and feed at the same time.

Also, bf seemed to be far easier to establish this time, no cushions or worrying about his latch, I just bung him on

Starlight, you pop up on so many posts where I think 'are you me?' - and your osting name is fab

Effie, congratulations, thats brilliant. Must say found the first 6 weeks harder than dd as a newborn (but then we found first time pretty chilled). But bf was fine, and it all settled pretty quickly and LOVE LOVE LOVE having two now. Can't wait for the next one two three four?

3 weeks in for us and DS1 who is 2.4 is coping fine. I cooked loads of healthy meals that he likes and froze them in individual portions so they can be microwaved in 5 minutes. Luckily he loves being read to so we do a lot of that while DS2 feeds.

I have a lovely wrap sling but I do think that a ring sling will be easier to feed in so I'm going to get one. My MIL (a midwife) keeps telling me that I will have to learn how to feed in an underarm position otherwise Dd will be jealous I told her that DD will just have to get used to it and that I don't want her to 'help' me learn the underarm hold as I hated it when she tried to make me do it last time. I'm really looking forward to BFing again but have no idea how I'll look after a lively toddler at the same time. DD was having a crying fit just because I couldn't hold her while I was putting something in the oven today At least she loves playing with her dollies (or babies, as she calls them) and could spend all day spoon feeding them. The childminder keeps on getting DD to bottlefeed a dolly until I pointed out that DD might be quite confused when that isn't how mummy feeds the new baby!

Oooooooooooo, I love the idea of freezing lots of meals for DD, making sandwiches in the morning and maybe a few family trips to the library for constant 'new' books as she loves looking at books.

The other day I was BFing DS (4 months) in bed DD (nearly 3) was sitting next to me BFing her doll.....

i used to bfeed ds whilst dd1 14months and i were playing. jigsaws. painting etc. just have to not get precious about the mess. or even reading a story book lots of animal sounds or animation type books to engage dd.

Great that she loves looking at books - if you can feed on the sofa she can snuggle up to the side of you while you read to her, and if you can manage to wrap your arm around her (holding the baby with the other!) then so much the better. Lots of cuddles very reassuring for the toddler.

Definately get a wrap sling. I found ring slings useless, I have bf ds in both a Close and a Kari Me, and can still do so at 7 months (and he is a whopper!). I do prefer the Kari me but a Close is brilliant if you find wrapping a bit daunting. Ds fed non stop in the early days and it was difficult for dd I think. It sounds silly, but make sure you let your dd know that when the baby is born you will be feeding him that way, and that because babys tummys are so small he will need feeding more often- I think knowing in advance will help. The only other thing I found helpful was to have a massive bag or everything I could concievebly need right next to me on the sofa, so muslins, remote, water etc. I also got dd lots of little juice cartons and her own little fruit bowl and biscuit tin in the front room which was very special for her, I started doing this after about a week of her constantly asking for somethig just as I had sat down

I have been thinking the same things OP. My DD will only be about 16 months (if that) when DD2 is born and I want to BF (only stopped BF dd for same reason as you).

I am interested in what you are saying about slings littlelamb. I have a ring sling that I was planning to use. I use it with DD but not till she was much older and had it so she was sitting on my hips so nothing like what I would use if BF a newborn. I was hoping to do it though. Although if I know it won't work then I will invest in something else as I was really hoping to use a sling so I can BF the baby and play with DD etc.

ALTHOUGH, I did some nanny work when DD was 2 weeks, on and off for months and she used to feed all the time. I looked after a little boy who was 7 months older than her and managed fine. I would have her on my lap while I sat on the floor playing with him. Would feed him in his high chair with her sitting on my lap on a chair. Wasn't as comfy for either of us but do-able. And to be honest, even with formula, it isn't like just giving them the bottle and letting them get on with it, I think bottle feeding will be hard work.

I plan to get DD used to DH doing lots for her - putting her to bed, bath etc, so she doesn't get a shock as much.

I think slings are a matter of personal preference. I found a ring sling easier to BF in (although didn't get one till 3mo) - DS is my first but he fed constantly so being able to pop the sling over him while he was feeding, tighten it up then actually be able to go to the loo was a godsend! I couldn't BF easily in my kari-me but I have large boobs and just couldn't get him comfortable. With a ring sling I was never quite hands free but was confidently one-handed so could do all sorts of stuff.

See if you can get a doll and a borrow a sling to practice with. It is much easier with a doll but at least you can see how easy it is to get in the right position and suchlike. Also, slings have pretty good resale value so if you buy one and don't use it much, you won't have lost too much.

Cbeebies! And dvds of fave progs. And all remotes at hand. Although I am going to kill a tellytubbie soon. And yes, get a bag of everything you need. I had one stashed behind the sofa so I knew everything was there when I sat down. Its not easy. My 2 yr old still gets frustrated when I feed her 3 mth old brother although he only takes 15 mins. Tried with many slings but DS is a hulk and my back just killed me and I couldn't get down to play with DD with him attached to me.

Message withdrawn

Re the slings; It's interesitng Miaow because I was speaking to someone on a different thread about how she had never been able to feed in her Close whereas I have never had a problem- and I am an F cup so not small I tried it with ds over christmas and we can still do it hands free. I was very lucky to get an excellent demonstation in the shop when I bought my Close though. Chloemegjess I'm actually selling my Close if you're at all interested? I do prefer my Kari me now purely because my ds is big and I am not so daunted by the matres of fabric, but in the early day there's no way I could have managed it- the thing I liked about the Close was that you can slip it on and off so quickly and it is by far the most easy to adjust of the wrap type slings, so changing position to bf with it on is simple.

littlelamb, I don't really know anything about the close - is there any chance you have a link or something to the one you have? If not, I will just google it but didn't want to end up looking at the wrong one! Thank you.

here Mine is the Olive green colour

do you know how much you are looking at selling it for? We are quite skint at the moment so we might not be much use to you!

Hi. Looking for about 23 quid posted. Its in really good nick, I still have the box, instructions and dvd. I think lots of people do manage to bf in them. The website doesn't really show it but you can put the baby in it in a kind of cradle position so they're lying across you all snuggled up, like they woulod be in a ring sling really. It's impossible cute I am getting soppy just thinking about ds all curled up in there!`

It does look good. I will speak to DH tonight and see what he thinks (mainly about if we can afford it). Do you have paypal if we do? I am not making any promises though. If I didn't already have the ring sling I would def get it but in some ways, seems silly having both. I will have look at some reviews for both slings too. Looks lovely having baby so snug in there.

CBeebies

Sorry to butt in but Littlelamb if Chloejessmeg doesn't want your Close carrier then I will happily take it off your hands - from April I will have a newborn and a 2yo to look after so hoping that the newbie will be happy in the sling.

I had a ring sling for DS and never got on with it, could never feed him in it and it did my back in!