Breastfeeding when you have older children

[Loumey85]

I am currently expecting and am not sure what would be best for my family when it comes to feeding. My son's will be aged 10 and 7 by the time baby arrives and I am worried about how they will feel about me breastfeeding around them? I'm also worried that I won't have time for them or will struggle with our normal routine?

I had a 6 year old who didnt care. I think its important to normalise breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is totally normal, no reason not to do it around your sons.

I was 10 and my brother 8 when we had another sibling. Mum breastfed- I think we both thought it was perfectly normal.

Congratulations!

If you want to breastfeed: By you doing it it would make it normal and not a ‘thing’, boobs are for breastfeeding after all.

If you don’t want to breastfeed: then don’t

I remember my mum breastfeeding my siblings, it’s normal.

I bf my third when my older two were four and six. We just stopped last month, right before my eldest turned 9. He hasn't batted an eyelid. They understand it's how they were fed, and it's totally the norm for them.

You might find you actually get more time to talk to older ones. When you’re stuck under a feeding/cluster feeding newborn it can be immensely frustrating not to be able to get up and do anything. If the stars align this might be great time to supervise homework/chat about day/watch tv together.

Interesting first post OP....

@MonkeyPuddle What does that mean? I'm confused?!

Well I mean you are having a little baby so yeah, you won’t have as much time for the older two and up your routines will be baby-driven. I had my DS when my DD was 8. Breastfeeding didn’t phase her in the slightest, she was curious about how it worked, and fascinated, but it quickly became normal for her. I think as long as you don’t feel embarrassed it will quickly feel normal, for everyone.

I found a baby sling absolutely invaluable (DS had dreadful reflux so really was tough in first year) as it meant I could be with DD and baby at the same time.

I have a 7 year old DD (who I bf for a year when she was a baby) and am now bf my 12 week old. It’s really easy and I can latch baby on and do other stuff with DD like listen to her read her school reading book, talk to her about her day, even eat meals together- while bf I have one spare hand which I suppose I wouldn’t do if I had to hold a bottle too. It is totally normalised and DD just accepts it as little sister is drinking her milk.

@MonkeyPuddle

Interesting first post OP....

Don’t be ridiculous, there’s nothing suspect about this post, and troll hunting isn’t allowed on MN anyway.

I have a 11 and 13 yo boys and a one year-old daughter. I breastfed all of mine, still going with the baby and will until she self-weans.
At first my eldest found it a bit weird but now he thinks nothing of it. It's completely normal ateotd so it's should be normalised. Far more than it is now although I think things are changing slowly.

@User629202 I agree. Totally and utterly bizarre. Don't get it? Maybe because you mentioned the word (sniggers) breast!!

It's a perfectly normal thing to breast feed, I cant see why they would have an issue and if they did It's even more important to normalise it. I feed in front of my 6 year old step son, sometimes he makes funny comments like 'baby needs boobie milk now' and he has before called me a milk machine 🤣 but he has never batted an eye when we were all sat on the sofa and I start to feed the baby. I do understand your point though, there are some family members I don't feel that comfortable feeding in front of like my uncle or step brother and would go in another room, though weirdly feel totally fine about feeding in a cafe. Just personal preference, whatever you feel comfortable with

Thanks for your advice everyone, I did use a carrier before so will definitely be using one when baby arrives. And thanks to those who have suggested that sitting and feeding will give me more time to spend time with my older children as I am actually sat still for once 😂 I hadn't thought of it like that! I remember my three year old had no issues with it, when asked by family what his brother would like for christmas he suggested boobies!

My older one was 5 so slightly younger but didn’t think it was anything but completely normal. She was obviously in school most days (as yours will be), and when she was home she could watch tv or help herself to drinks and snacks if I was busy. She didn’t find me bf anything but completely normal, so I wouldn’t be too bothered.

DS1 was ten when DS2 was born, he didn't even blink! I think it's good for them to see breastfeeding normalised, particularly at an age that they're aware and will remember.