Did you bf one child longer than another?

[spiralizeme]

I breastfed DD1 for 5 months but I plan to breastfeed my next baby for much longer.

I kinda feel guilty for this.

If you breastfed babies for different lengths of times, I'd love to hear.

Thanks in advance xxx

Yes, first for 7 months, second for 13 months, 3rd for 2.5 years. Mainly due to weird pressure to stop from my DM who really didn't get it (she hated breast feeding and stopped as soon as she could apparently.) So each one was longer as I had more confidence in my own judgement. I totally get what you mean about feeling a bit weird and guilty, I think that's part and parcel if being a Mum. You move past it though. aAt the end of the day, you're doing the best you can in each moment with each of your beautiful babies, whether that's breastfeeding long term, a little or not at all, and they will remember nothing of it! xx

10 months for my DC1. Only 6 months for DC2. I had pneumonia and was put on seriously strong antibiotics so had to stop.

Doesn't bother me in the slightest. I did what was best for both of us.

I had the reverse - tried desperately to breastfeed my first DD but it didn't work out. I pumped exclusively for 3 months before giving up as it was impacting my MH.

Promised myself I'd try my best again with DD2 - again it didn't work out but I had decided after my experience with DD1 that I wouldn't pump again so switched to formula.

I did feel slightly guilty for 'not doing the same for her' but I knew that DD2 would be fine on formula as DD1 was and it wasn't worth stressing over and I'm now happy with my decision (DD2 is 8 months).

Good luck with it all!

DC1 7 months, DC2 11 months but both self weaned and gave up when they were ready.

Yep - first for 14 weeks (I was ill). Second for a year.
I felt so much guilt about the first at the time (probably in midst of undiagnosed PND) but honestly now years later and doesn’t bother me (or them) at all.

Yes, first self-weaned at 16 months, second was weaned unwillingly (on his part) at 3 years.

First 13 months and second only 6 months as we just couldn't sort her reflux without a special formula - I was gutted but she just stopped gaining weight so we just had to do something.

First for 6 months but the second for 18.

Mainly because from 6 weeks #2 was fed formula too so the pressure was off me. It was easier to wean #1 than #2.

DC1 for 13 months, DC2 for 2 years. DC1 was happy to stop, DC2 was not! Obviously I fed them both for a good length of time and I don’t actually feel like there’s a material difference there.

You are never going to be able to do things exactly equally for both kids - you do the best you can at the time - so I wouldn’t feel guilty about it at all.

Yup.

DD1 - 10 days EBF.

DD2 - 6 months EBF followed by 18 more months on demand bf then 3 and half more years (not on demand though).

Yes. First 1 month - young mum and felt embarrassed doing it in public so didn’t leave the house. Second child 9 months. Older and more confident. Wanted to stop about 6 months but my daughter had other plans. Finally weaned at 9 months and felt relief.

Yes 1 ds for 11 months 2nd ds 6 weeks . I'd had breast surgery in between and could only produce milk on one side ds wasn't getting enough milk and I was in so much pain from the breast I couldn't produce milk from . Still get breast pain from time to time 6 years on

DD1... 17 months. Milk dried up when I was pregnant
DD2... 2.5years.

I've never really thought about DD1 having less. I did my best with both. I was pregnant and/or breastfeeding for nearly 5 years constantly and I'm happy I did that for both of them.

Yeah, DS was about 3 weeks and DD just over a year. I had hoped to feed DS a lot longer but lack of breastfeeding support scuppered it.

Finished BF my first just before she 5, my son has just turned 2 and has lost interest. My 5 yr old would still be feeding if I let her

DS1 13m
DS2 20m

DS2 couldn't have existed if I hadn't stopped feeding DS1 as I didn't have periods until 2m after the final BF both times.

DS1 weaned off more easily anyway. I had to withdraw more deliberately with DS2 and wanted my body back by 20 months after nearly 5 years of being pregnant/ BFing with little gap.

Fed DS1 for 17 months, DS2 for 4.2 years and DS3 for 3 years. They’re all teenagers now and not remotely interested in how long they were bf for so I don’t think you have to feel guilty.

Yes DD1 stopped when I was about 12wk pregnant saying the milk tasted bad, she was coming up to 3. DD2 was closer to 4 and I told her milk was running out. I was amazed when DD2 was born that DD1 forgot within those 6 months that she had breastfed too and was appalled to learn this!!

DD1 6 weeks and DD2 3 and 3/4 years. I was reffered to the post natal mental health team due to my guilt over stopped bf DD1. It was only after having DD2 that I forgave myself but a times I still have twinges of guilt.

Yes DS1 til 11 months- he was cow's milk allergic so was easier to carry on feeding him than try to adapt to allergenic formula. DS2 til 6 months- he had teeth at 8 weeks and got fed up with it!

Those that stopped bf before 1, what did you do in terms of milk? Did you use formula? What did your babies drink it out of?

Isn't it fascinating how they forget! (I know this isn't the point of the thread sorry)

My dd stopped just after 2 and a half years old... it's less than 5 months later now and she's completely baffled when I mention it. No idea what I'm talking about. And yet at the time we had a whole language around it like words we would use when she wanted feeding in public etc. So recent!

I'm curious to find out if dd will be jealous or something when I BF dc2.

To answer your question op, my dc2 isn't born yet but I'm open minded about how long I'll feed him/her for. I don't think I'll go longer than I did for dd1 cos that felt a bit of a marathon but I'm hoping I'll manage a year for his/her health. I won't feel guilty if it's much less than dd1. I'll be doing a better job of parenting in other ways I'm sure

Yes first for 10 months.

I then found doing formula and bottles for 2 months a complete and utter faff. I really regretted stopping. I don't know why people think formula is easier. 😳

Second child fed for 18 months.

I didn't feel guilty though.

No I don't feel guilty at all. My first I returned to work when he was five months so that was that. I didn't return after my second, but I started her on solids at the same time but only gradually reduced the breastfeeding. Then she was down to one just before bed, until the night before she turned one and she looked at me, stuck her thumb in her mouth and turned away! That was it! Quite relieved.