Difficult start to BFing DS but fed for 15 months, now pregnant with no.2 will it be easier?

[cinnamongreyhound]

I am 26 weeks pregnant with my second and am starting to feel anxious about how successful I will be at breastfeeding second time around.

I had a very hungry baby first time around and lots of milk but ended up with large cracks in my nipples, thrush and mastitis. I was told he was latching fine, but having done more reading since it seems that a lot of midwives have very limited training. I was determined to BF and was fine after he was 8 weeks old and carried on until he was 15 months.

I had inverted nipples first time around which I am sure didn't help but now they are most definately not inverted so I'm hoping with that and the fact I know what I'm doing I should have an easier time. The thing that is worrying me is that I am a childminder and am planning to only take 2 weeks maternity leave so I won't have as much time to establish feeding this time around and don't want to give up. I know I won't know until I get there but would be good to hear some positive stories about those who had difficulty first time and a much easier time with the second.

Also my breasts leaked every night from 20 weeks pregnant last time but this time at 26 weeks there is no sign of any leakage, is this a bad sign?

I can't tell you whether or not things will be OK because only time will tell, but I had no leakage (unless I gave my boobs a good hard squeeze) during pregnancy, or - a couple of accidents aside - since. I've still managed to feed fine. (28 weeks and counting!)

I couldn't imagine only having 2 weeks maternity though!

my first didn't BF well at all and I expressed for 7 weeks then gave up.

2nd got off to a tricky start, i think because i didn't get the chance to hold her or feed her for 3 or 4 hours, but then was very successful.

3rd, had skin to skin immediately and he fed straight away, and so far is still doing well aged 10 days.

So, in my experience it gets easier every time. for me, having succeeded with my 2nd dd gave me the confidence to just get on with it this time. we are not in a routine yet, but the feeding itself is a doddle.