Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Breastfeeding with other children including pre teen boy

27 replies

Woodlandwalkswithmydog · 03/10/2023 12:33

Is it going to be possible to do this? I am due dc3 in a month and just trying to figure out if it's st all possible as I know it can take a while to establish feeding, a lot of skin to skin etc..

Im thinking of how il go about it without exposure and fitting in school & club runs.
Oh can only take 1 week off work & won't be available to do school runs after the week either.

Would it be more realistic to just buy bottles & formula?

Other dc were ff.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Octobermeterreadtime · 03/10/2023 12:36

I had teens and older dc when I had ds.. Never flashed a boob yet!

Ponderingwindow · 03/10/2023 12:37

The time issues you are going to face really aren’t different breastfeeding or formula feeding. You can breastfeed anywhere. A tiny baby can’t hold a bottle independently and will require just as much focus and attention as if you are breastfeeding in those first few weeks.

Caro678 · 03/10/2023 12:38

Yes, absolutely possible. If you want to do it, just give it a go. You’ll have all day at home whilst the kids are at school. I wouldn’t mind my own kids seeing me anyway, and they’ll get used to it.

Once you get the hang of it, breastfeeding will be a lot more convenient for being out and about, not having to lug bottles around.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General parenting

Original poster

Woodlandwalkswithmydog · 03/10/2023 12:42

Thanks, makes me feel better. Just in a bit of panic mode as it's getting close. But definitely want to try.

No one has in my family or Friends circle so no one to take advice off.
And I know some family members including dp are still in the frame of mind that it's a bit weird.

OP posts:

strategy · 03/10/2023 12:51

Yes you defo can, I always kept a Muslin handy to throw over my shoulder when I was feeding no matter who was around me or if I were out and about.

Good luck with the pending baby! Exciting times

ManxRhyme · 03/10/2023 12:51

If you can establish BF then it's definitely easier than bottles especially if you don't have lots of help. No need to prep or sterilize and no need to cart the kit around when leaving the house.

Get a feeding cover if you are self conscious but you may find that once you get the hang of it then it's easy enough to pop baby on and off without issues. Some friends didn't even realise I was feeding and though I was just cuddling the baby to sleep.

Look for a breastfeeding support group now if you don't have any one you know in real life to support. Local FB parent groups are a good place to ask. They can be helpful with checking latch and position and just for a general nice place to go mid morning for a cuppa and a chat.

Greenfinch7 · 03/10/2023 12:57

Hi OP- you mention that your dp and some family think breastfeeding is 'a bit weird', but there really is nothing less weird than breastfeeding. We have breasts in order to be able to feed our babies!
You can feed any time, anywhere- I just wore loose-ish tops and lifted them up enough so baby could feed. I wasn't particularly worried about people seeing a bit of flesh, but it actually never really happened anyway (I do have small breasts though...)

I also think it is really good for kids of all ages to see people breastfeeding, and for boys to see it as something completely normal and unremarkable, so I think you are doing your preteen son a favour by letting him see you breastfeed.

MollsDolls · 03/10/2023 13:01

Just do it. Only becomes an issue if you allow it too. Sod anyone who thinks it's weird or odd. Your pre teen prob won't bat an eyelid.

Original poster

Woodlandwalkswithmydog · 03/10/2023 13:01

Thank you @Greenfinch7

OP posts:

Ohthatsabitshit · 03/10/2023 13:03

Why are you only getting a week off?

Lammveg · 03/10/2023 13:13

I didn't get on with muslin cloths they always seemed to fall off, but if you're worried about exposure I got a great cover on amazon that has like a stiff collar which means you can still see baby;

Breastfeeding Cover Up with Adjustable Strap in Grey Damask - Cotton - Boned Nursing Cover - Breathable & Lightweight - Stylish & Discreet incl Storage Bag & Towel Corners https://amzn.eu/d/eOA63An

But now I just don't really care. DD is 8months and you can't see much anyway when she's latched on...bit more exposing when she likes to look around while feeding though 🙄

Original poster

Woodlandwalkswithmydog · 03/10/2023 13:37

Its my partner who is only taking a week off @Ohthatsabitshit

OP posts:

JC89 · 03/10/2023 13:49

There are ways of keeping covered, I found a t-shirt under a cardigan worked well (lift up your top, cardigan covers your back and sides while baby covers your front). It's no bad thing for children to see breastfeeding as a normal thing - this is what breasts are for after all! I'm guessing exposure is more what you are worried about, it may be easier to try feeding in a different room until you are used to it (maybe in front of a mirror?) so you can work on establishing feeding without worrying about being exposed - the early days can be tough going. Good luck!

PinkRoses1245 · 03/10/2023 14:18

I think try it, if you can establish it well, it’s much easier than prepping bottles etc. as others said there’s ways to cover up if you prefer, and it’s good for pre teens especially boys to see it’s normal and natural

heldinadream · 03/10/2023 14:42

You can get breastfeeding info and support with this org OP. I think it's brilliant that you're gonna give it a try this time. Cheering you on and hoping you manage it!
I wouldn't worry about kids, they won't judge or if they do it'll be fairly shallow (like they might judge you for wearing pink trousers as my younger DD did once 😂), it's the adults who'll be trickier. Hence getting some external support might be really helpful. Also keep posting here for support if it helps.
Good luck with the birth and the feeding!
Oh yes and if you can do it it's streets ahead easier than bottles.

La Leche League GB - Friendly breastfeeding support from pregnancy onwards

La Leche League GB

Friendly breastfeeding support from pregnancy onward.

https://www.laleche.org.uk/

Original poster

Woodlandwalkswithmydog · 03/10/2023 15:06

Thank you @heldinadream

OP posts:

gotomomo · 03/10/2023 15:38

Id breastfeed, it comes with you ready made at the right temperature no bottles required, as a busy mum you need the convenience. If you are doing run's dropping off kids etc then being able to sit in the car doing a quick feed will be a godsend. A light blanket solves any issues with modesty if that's your main concern

gotomomo · 03/10/2023 15:40

As far as keep covered I found the combination of a tightish vest top combined with a loose over top eg t shirt the best option

YewTree84 · 03/10/2023 16:08

Yes the Muslim over the shoulder is a great one. You can bf anywhere then.

I always think bottle feeding must be such a faff with bottle cleaning and buying and making the milk!

Quisto · 03/10/2023 16:27

It's absolutely possible. I bf DS 2 when DS 1 was 10. You're not sitting around half naked for days doing skin to skin, waiting for your milk to come in. For what it's worth, I never owned a muslin, just maternity bras and loose t shirts. It's perfectly doable to bf without flashing your boobs. It's so convenient too, no faffing around with bottles in the night. Good luck OP and don't let anyone put you off. My OH came home from work saying all the blokes at work said their wives had given up very quickly and I probably wouldn't stick at it. Grrr! We did 18 months.

AppleDumplingWithCustard · 05/10/2023 01:22

YewTree84 · 03/10/2023 16:08

Yes the Muslim over the shoulder is a great one. You can bf anywhere then.

I always think bottle feeding must be such a faff with bottle cleaning and buying and making the milk!

I think a Muslim over your shoulder might cause quite a stir. 😂

Flittingaboutagain · 05/10/2023 01:40

And I know some family members including dp are still in the frame of mind that it's a bit weird.

^ I'm breastfeeding two at the moment and couldn't have got this far without support. Their attitude is so backwards. How do they think humans evolved?! Join a local breastfeeding support group. Within about a week to six you'll potentially start to doubt you're making enough (this is almost a rite of passage!), face tongue tie or blocked ducts or blebs and need support and advice. Your family will just tell you to quit.

0lga · 05/10/2023 01:44

gotomomo · 03/10/2023 15:40

As far as keep covered I found the combination of a tightish vest top combined with a loose over top eg t shirt the best option

This is what I did. if I wanted more coverage I wore a lightweight scarf, it looks much more normal than a special breast feeding cover. they have lots in the charity shops near us for about £1 each.

BBQchickensalad · 05/10/2023 02:13

If anything, breastfeeding will probably be more convenient. You can pick up baby and go. Need need to make up bottles and worry about where you are going to heat them. No worrying about keeping them at a safe temperature when out. Just there.

Cowlover89 · 05/10/2023 02:48

Go for it and it's really not weird. They're weird for thinking it. It's the most natural thing in the world and not sorry for saying this but what's best for baba. Its so much easier to just lob ya boob out and tbf I never covered myself. All my friends have seen my boobs. My son never liked it. X

Flip

1 2