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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Logistically can I breastfeed baby with a 15 mo running around?

27 replies

justkeepingittogether · 17/03/2009 15:24

Hello

I will be having another baby in 2 months, when DD will be 15 mo. I am trying to get my head around logistics of breastfeeding baby and looking after DD on my own (I am hoping to have some limited help for first 6 weeks as it will be CS delivery). But after that will definitely be on my own during the day.

I want to try bf but need hints/tips on how I can make it work?

OP posts:
Wheelybug · 17/03/2009 15:28

HI there.

My dd2 is 5 days old and I am breastfeeding albeit with a 4 year old. However, I expressed/formula fed dd1 due to issues surrounding her birth and have no regrets/issue with this so what I am about to say isn't coming from a diehard breastfeeder.

I have to say that I am finding it easier to breastfeed as feeding is quicker than bottle feeding and cuts out the sterilising/ bottle preparation. So, basically I think it would be easier to breastfeed with a toddler than bottle feed assuming all goes ok.

If you would prefer to breastfeed then why don't you give it a try and see how it goes, even if you only managed the first 6 weeks when you have help.

Wheelybug · 17/03/2009 15:29

I am breastfeeding the 5 day old not the 4 year old btw

HumphreyCobbler · 17/03/2009 15:32

cbeebies has saved my sanity

lots of books to share while you are feeding

Chaotica · 17/03/2009 15:32

I did (DD was a mature 17m when DS was born). Beebies and books are good so you can cuddle both of them at the same time, bf while your older child is eating/in the bath/busy doing something. I guess it's important to have a childproof play area (if you don't already) so you don't have to jump up and prevent a catastrophe (too often).

I found it easy to manage, but a lot depends on your children.

Good luck

nikkilh76 · 17/03/2009 15:34

I am breastfeeding with a two year ols running around sucessfully. In fact he tries to feed his doll too at times. It may be nice to start to have a special few toys that come out when you breast feed. My son also had his own special cushion that he could come and sit on next to me while i was feeding. I'm sure it will be fine be reassured they learn to feed quicker as they have to!!!

Bella73 · 17/03/2009 15:34

DD1 was 15 months when DD2 was born. I have only just stopped bf'ing DD2 at 10 months old! I was worried before she was born but it was fine, DD1 was very accepting.

You can still read book, do some playing, watch tv together. Try having a special book or game that you get out for feeds. It has honestly never been a problem for us. I'm lucky that dd2 is a pretty quick feeder on the whole.

HumphreyCobbler · 17/03/2009 15:35

sorry am feeding dd now

being organised with ds meals by getting them ready in advance was helpful at the beginning too

lots of playgroups etc to tire out toddler - someone will hold your baby if neccessary.

robino · 17/03/2009 15:38

yep, still feeding 8 month old with 2 yr old charging around. Echo books and beebies, being able to feed while running up and down stairs helps too

StarlightMcKenzie · 17/03/2009 16:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

NellyTheElephant · 17/03/2009 17:06

Definitely - you just have to be a little bit organised about it I'd say, e.g. I used to try and make sure I got DD2 up at 7am and start feeding her (usually in bed) as DD1 slept until approx 7.30am so I knew I'd get at least that first feed out of the way without interuption. During the day time feeds I would set up things for DD1 to do (e.g. get out lego or other toys) and have a drink and snack and some books to hand and maybe CBeebies set up on standby. Then when DD1 had got bored of playing I might offer her the drink and snack, then she might sit next to me on the sofa and I'd read to her and if all else failed I'd flick on CBeebies. DD1 was still napping in the afternoon so I'd usually try and fit in a feed then and also I'd feed at the table while DD1 was eating her tea as it was undoubtable easier to feed while DD1 was occupied with something else!. DC3 due shortly so I'll be BF with a 4 yr old and 2 yr old running around - I have a very over optomistic hope that they will entertain each other and leave me in peace to feed (ha ha!!)

Kathyis6incheshigh · 17/03/2009 17:10

I had an 18 month age gap, did not find it a problem. What I found was that the bf became so much second nature that I would be doing it without noticing.

Bella73 · 17/03/2009 20:06

Yes yes, like Nelly I did lots of feeding at hte table during dinner. I had forgotten that!

You do get good at feeding in odd places and while doing all kinds of other things.

sweetkitty · 17/03/2009 20:09

18 month gap here too first time around, books and cbeebies, get them both on the sofa, put on TV, both watch it. Baby proof one room too, so you can feed in there and not worry about the toddler.

I am BFing DD3 now and have 4 and 3 yo hairing around, sometimes DD3 has to get unltached mid feed, she doesn't mind too much bless her

twoluvlykids · 17/03/2009 20:12

I did it, mine are only 14 month apart.

I made sure the stair gates were well fastened, and had one over the kitchen door too.

There was no all day cbeebies then, DS wasn't walking,just crawling, so that was a bit easier for the first 2 months.

Lots and lots of books to look at.

RustyBear · 17/03/2009 20:22

I got quite good at getting up holding DD along one arm while using the other hand to sort out DS without interrupting her feeding. Luckily she was quite small & light though!

Wallace · 17/03/2009 20:27

A friend has 13 months between hers and managed to bf the second one no probs (really struggled with first!)

I'll ask her for some tips for you

tiktok · 17/03/2009 21:18

How would formula feeding be any easier???

Surely breastfeeding is far more convenient than a system of feeding that requires the baby to wait, requires you to wash, boil and prepare, and which means you dont have a spare arm and hand!

roomforthree · 17/03/2009 21:38

Have you considered a sling? I have a 17 month gap between my 2 youngest and my wrap sling has made my life so much easier.

stitchtime · 17/03/2009 21:40

i breastfed with an 18 month old running around. i know that is a difference of three motnhs, but it should still be fesible

stitchtime · 17/03/2009 21:41

breastfeeding will definitly be easier than formula feeding., once you are over the intial two or three weeks of difficulty

fridayschild · 17/03/2009 21:45

I had an 18 month gap and BF. The only time I found it hard was tea time when I was tired, milk supply not great so DS2 clamped to the breast for ages, and DS1 also tired and playing up. Otherwise it beat sterilising and counting scoops of feed hands down!

LackaDAISYcal · 17/03/2009 21:49

I have done it with a 17 month age gap.

My DD was pretty mobile and self sufficient when the baby arrived so she was quite happy to sit and play. I also had my DH around for a lot of the first weeks as he was taking holidays in lieu of notice before starting a new job, so maybe that made things seem easier than they actually were.

What I did find hard initially, and thankfully it's passed now, was DD wanting attention as soon as I picked the baby up. I got round it mostly by tucking her up beside us and looking at a book.] whilst DS2 was latched on and then spending time with her after I had fed him.

Now that DS2 is 19 weeks old, things are so easy...he feeds very quickly and efficiently as he is desperate to get in on the action happening on the floor. If I had to make up bottles things would be much more difficult as it would mean decamping with both of them to the kitchen every time I needed to make up a bottle.

mumtofour · 17/03/2009 21:51

Hi
Congratulations on your forthcoming birth! I think however you chose to feed your baby it is a whole new routine when you have a toddler to look after as well. I think you may be surprised how it all works out with a little planning and like many of posts have said, a good supply of books, childrens dvd's etc. I breastfed my twins and my eldest was 20 months. I am sure you will get on great and i wish you all the best.

Original poster
justkeepingittogether · 18/03/2009 06:16

thanks to everyone - mumtofour - you must have soo much energy!

I do want to BF - it did not go well last time - baby was not gaining weight and was very unsettled and in the end I mixed fed until she was 4 months. I was expressing and giving her BF and formula from a bottle and that was quite hard work. I kept it up until we moved onto the continent and just couldn't keep going.

I am not precious about BF - I will try very hard and I do agree that it saves sterilising etc if you can. But I also won't let myself be stressed and upset about it this time and feeling the unspoken pressure from other people that somehow you have failed if you don't do it.

You have all made it sound possible and I am cheered that I can with some organisation give it a good go so thank you.

OP posts:
laurz75 · 18/03/2009 07:07

My son was 20 months but hectic when dd came along. I made up a special box that only came out when it was feeding time - the 'booby box!'. It had special books, aquadraw colouring mats, a DVD, new car in. It worked well. As someone else said, dd git used to unlatching mid-feed (when I had to retrieve ds from the top of the coffee table for instance!!). Seems like so long ago now (dd 2 next week).