Breastfeeding advice!

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Hi!
I'm 25 weeks pregnant with my second baby girl, il have a 15 month old once this baby is born and I really would like to try breastfeeding again.

I gave up after a few days with my first daughter as I couldn't get it right, the positioning, it hurt because the latch wasn't right and I had the worst baby blues for 2 weeks so I ended up packing it in. Which I regret massively but it was the right decision at the time for my mental health! I also felt like I got 0 support from midwives and health visitors, which didn't help.

How hard will it be breastfeeding with a 15 month old? Those who have done this with 2 under 2 has it been easy? I just worry that it'll take away time from my other child and don't want to constantly have a baby latched to me with the cluster feeding, but I also would love to give it another go. Any advice would be so helpful. Thank you! 💞

Anyone? 🙈

Don’t want to read and not comment.

I think for you, planning and preparation will be key. Have a “breastfeeding box” which you have near you to help entertain 15mo (eg contains snacks, books, toys)

The other preparation I would do is watch YouTube videos on “how” to breastfeed. Sounds so bloody obvious but it isn’t some ‘natural’ process. It takes time to get it right. It also hurts when it is right (despite the advice that you hear) By educating yourself on the potential barriers to breastfeeding being difficult, will help you identify the problems early on and source the support.

Thousands of people breastfeed with multiple children in the house. Of course it’s doable. If you want to bf, you’ll make it work (tv will be your virtual babysitter!)

Each baby is different so you may have a completely different experience this time.

In terms of entertainment for your other child; consider how you can still focus on them whilst feeding.

Reading books; watching TV; games where they play on the floor - blocks etc - whilst you feed.

Thank you for some of the advice! I'd just love to have this experience as this is my last child I'm planning on having, and I feel like I'd be full of regrets if I didn't give it one last shot.

My 1 year old currently is getting very clingy it's almost like she knows soon they'll be another baby in the house, so it's made me feel like it'll be difficult to try BF and entertain her at the same time but like you said, so many people do it! 😊

You can do it! And as a PP so rightly said, it is different each time - even for those of us who have done it lots and lots.
I would also add, that even if it is hard, (my first was absolutely dreadful for the first 3 weeks), it can and does suddenly become so darn easy that you can feel like you suddenly pressed a button to make it work. Really!
As above, make sure to have little bits around for toddler and drink, food for you. You've got this!

Learn how to baby wear and feed in a sling. It's a learning process but will be well worth it. You can attach baby, feed her, let her sleep on you and still have both hands free for your toddler.

Lots of local sling libraries are now online doing video consultations. They will give you advice on the best type of wrap or carrier.

Watch loads of YouTube videos on carrying, breastfeeding in a sling, and feeding itself.

I found the first week or two of feeding so painful due to damage from an incorrect latch. I'd wince and shout in pain when she first went on, then she'd settle into a feed and it'd be fine. I then got thrush !!! After 2 weeks, everything just "worked" and I'm still feeding now 12 months on.

I just wish I'd got into carrying much earlier. I back carry now with a buckle carrier and it's so handy! And my 1yr old loves being on my back. Especially when she's clingy from teething or just not feeling well.

There are some really good resources online now. LLL - La Leche League. They've been doing online meetings. You can look up your local group.

No current experience, but I'm due no2 in April and no1 will be 21 months.

I breastfed first for 13 months. The first 10-14 days was extremely hard. If you can push through this difficult period, I found the pain went and it was a lot easier.

"I would also add, that even if it is hard, (my first was absolutely dreadful for the first 3 weeks), it can and does suddenly become so darn easy that you can feel like you suddenly pressed a button to make it work. Really"

I echo this 100%. That was my experience too, like somebody had pressed a button to make it work.

I also didn't buy any formula, bottles etc so didn't have much choice but to feed the baby.

Thank you so much for the advice/support!
I really want to invest in a sling but I panic incase i don't put it on right, are they quite easy?
Also, do you have to express with each feed? I've got so many questions with it as so many women do breastfeeding differently!

And when your BF from 1 breast, do you need to catch the letdown from the other breast?

It's also with the more selfish side of things - if my and DP wanted to go out for an evening and get a babysitter, I worry about drinking etc with BF how do you get around that?

Maybe I need to join a BF support group 🤣

I've got a wrap /sling. Had to watch the instruction videos a few times but it very quickly became second nature to put it on.

Alcohol. I was advised if you're under the drink drive limit, the amount that gets into the milk is very low.

I used a Hakka to catch let down from non feeding breast.

I only pumped to get up a freezer stash.