How do people cope with breastfeeding with a toddler running around?

[Jojo13]

Just that really.
I know people do it but, given how relentless breastfeeding was first time around, I'm wondering how on earth it is going to be possible this time around with a toddler in tow? I remember the cluster feeding at teatime and am now thinking how will I have any time to make dinner and generally attend to a two year old?!
I didn't have the easiest time breastfeeding the first time around as it was and can only think it will be worse this time instead of better..

Rugby ball position on a pillow wedged against the chair arm while at home, to give you hands and space for the toddler. We read lots of books and he started to watch television.

You just get on with it tbh. Can read to toddler whilst feeding if they stay still long enough judicious use of tv helps a lot. Also batch cooking when you get a chance and popping food in the oven. Slow cooker can also be your friend. I find that I can achieve a remarkable amount during the 15 minutes time the little one is actually napping.

If you can, it would be worthwhile getting a good lactaction consultant in to visit you in the first few days (ask around for recommendations) to check latch, tongue tie etc. Ironing out any BF issues early will make the world of difference and could mean you can avoid a lot of the cluster feeds etc.

TV!

It just isn't as relentless the second time as you have to look after the toddler. Lots of things to do on the sofa or bean bag on floor so you can feed at the same time.

Sling for the baby so you have two hands free while they sleep to make dinner or play. I still find myself making dinner as strange times of day so I can reheat or leave it to cook for hours in a slow cooker/oven

I have five children; four boys and my youngest 19 weeks old DD. My boys were not breastfed for long but i did try to make it work. But DD is because she took to it brilliantly despite being 9 weeks prem. My boys are 7,5,3 and 18 months so I have the 3 year old and 18 month old home most of the time (3yr old does some nursery hours) it is hard at times but you just manage to be honest. Using a sling is a good one, I managed to work out feeding whilst she's in the sling to free up my arms. Favourite toys out for them so they are in reach, favourite cartoons, snacks etc. It's worked and we've managed so far :)

Thanks everyone, some good tips and reassuring advice.
I had already thought a sling would be invaluable so have one on order. I think because I didn't find bf easy last time (and only did it for about two months) I'm probably overthinking and worrying too much.
Thank you.
And Annabrooke90 you're a wonder!!

2nd baby is just fed less... certainly, the feeds are more abruptly finished/rushed ! ( Poor thing). Maybe this is my imagination.

I remember asking this question and feeling really dismayed when people said "read the toddler a book when feeding the baby" or similar... I thought oh god, breastfeeding is hard enough but reading a story at the same time?!?!

But actually, it's really fine. I'd recommend having people on standby to help with the toddler in the early days while you're getting the latch right etc but after that honestly it's a doddle. Don't worry about it! Congratulations and good luck

My MIL and DH were around the first week to distract DD1, since then DH gets up with DD1 (3) in the morning so that I get a bit more sleep as DD2 (2 weeks ) seems to have a wake-up around 4-5 at the moment.

YY to reading books whilst feeding or generally sitting in the same room while they are playing. Bought a moby sling which arrived today so think that around the house is going to be super-useful.

And am trying to slot them around each other - bathtime / prep for bed starts straight after a DD2 feed so that I can at least get DD1 out of the bath and in PJ's before DD2 goes back on during story reading

Get a batch of sticker books / colouring books / crayons / picture books in and have a box / basket by the sofa. Every night just spend a couple of minutes swapping the books over. Show dc1 the box and say it's the special box for special cuddle time with mummy. And let's feed the baby so she/he doesn't interrupt us too much.

And CBeebies becomes your best friend.

You just cope, honestly it's fine. In fact in some ways I found it easier than with DC1 as I had another pair of hands to fetch things when I was stuck on the sofa!

Learn how to breastfeed in a sling, then you can feed baby whilst racing after toddler. With a ssc like beco, Manduco, ergo you can adjust the straps and twist so baby can latch on.

I've managed to breastfeed with multiple toddlers running around- I'm still feeding baby 7 with 6 other kids ten and under.

Get the biggest bed you can afford, and pop the toddlers up with you while you are feeding. Read books, play simple games, watch the ipad together. They will just learn to accept it.

Thank you all, I am genuinely feeling better about it after reading your comments xx

It will be easier than you think and you will multitask like a genius.
I remember bf no 2 (holding her one-armed) while taking no 1 to the toilet, making food etc. We also watched a lot of tv, did colouring, read books.
No 2 just had to fit in and it works.

CBeebies. Lots of CBeebies. I fed the baby when we were eating lunch and dinner as well.

Yy to getting a ssc you can bf in. I hired a connecta for the first couple of months and kept dc2 pretty much constantly strapped in! Very comfortable to wear and easy to feed in - just loosen straps, get baby latched on and retighten. We went for loads of walks, trips to the park, etc and I cooked dinner all whilst breastfeeding.

Having a cupboard low down filled with toddler friendly snacks, beakers and plastic plates worked well too, so dc1 could help himself if he was hungry. I also used to buy the pint sized bottles of milk so if he wanted milk he could bring the bottle and one of his cups to me so I could pour him a drink without having to put the baby down. He also figured out how to push one of the kitchen chairs to the sink to pour himself a drink of water, but that might be a level of independence you don't want to encourage!

With dinner do as much as you can earlier on in the day before you get to the awful fussy/cluster feeding stage in the evening. Even if it's just getting everything you need out on the worktop ready. I batch cooked and froze lots of meals in the last days of pregnancy which came in handy on the really difficult days.

You will find your own ways to manage too as you go along.

I found breastfeeding a million times easier the second time round so you might find it more straightforward with your second baby too.