Breast feeding advice

[LittlemissMama67]

Ok-
Im 18 weeks pregnant with my 3rd baby. And I’m considering breast feeding..

with my first I tried it, found it incredibly painful and difficult. I left the hospital with bleeding nipples and went on to formula as soon as we got home.

with my second I bottle fed because I was still a little traumatised from my first attempt.

this time I’m a little bit older and wiser I’m aware lansonal cream exists and think I could do it my only worry is breast feeding with a 7 year old and 2 year old in tow who also need my attention, my partner works 8-5 every day so I will largely be home alone, the school run for me is also an hour and half round trip walking, I’m worried baby will be screaming the whole time and I won’t be able to stop and feed them.

god I just have so much apprehension. But at the same time it’s my last baby ans I would like to give it another go.

please no die hard breast feeding campaigners trying to shove it down my be neck I’ve heard it all before I just want advice for people who have been there with other children and how they’ve found it.

I have two children, didn't manage to BF my first - he just wouldn't latch but my second had a great latch but my milk didn't come in.

I first child was two when my second child was born.

I did BF was the first week before I gave up due to supply issues but I will always be glad I had that first week.

Once I switched to bottles i used to wonder how I would have coped with my 2 year old and BF. My lifestyle with my 2 year old is to be out and about at parks. Yes you can BF at a park - but keeping a 2 year old who just wants to run by your side? I used to have to bribe him with treats to get a quick bottle down the baby. So for me - FF suited my lifestyle.

Point of my message is - it's not an all or nothing. You could BF for the early weeks when you may have more support if your partner takes time off and switch?

Also - you do what is best for your family.

This is just a side suggestion if you try it, my first was so so difficult he wouldn't latch properly and would cut me etc, it was absolute torture which I pushed through for the first two weeks and just as I was about to give up from sheer terror (every time he wanted to feed), my friend suggested nipple shields. It can be a bit strange to get used to them but I used them for three months till he got used to latching without any pain.

As for breastfeeding with other children I think it's easier in one sense (no bottles/ prep/ late night formula prep etc/ sanitising etc), and in another your two year old may get a little frustrated at times but they soon get used to it. Especially if he/she would be closer to 3 then.

Regardless you aren't bound to it, give it a go and if it doesn't work it doesn't work, you gave it a try.

Hello I have 2 DC. Not shoving anything down your neck but i EBFd my 2.

With DC1 for the first few weeks, my nipples were so painful, cracked etc. I used to tense up, sometimes cry when I heard her stir as I knew it was time for a feed. I tried nipple shields but found it such a big faff keeping them in place.

So i just carried on with Lansinoh and rubbing breastmilK, airing as
much as possible. They healed and I went on to breastfeed till 12 mo.

With hindsight she just had a very poor latch at first I think.

With my 2nd, her latch was so perfect and so easy that they made me do a demo to
some student midwives - preens

Absolutely no cracking, soreness or tenderness at all. Fed happily till 16mo.

All the above to say you can go
on to have very different experiences with the same boobs.

Regarding being out and about, I absolutely could not even imagine the hassle
of having to cart bottles and formula around. With BF all I needed was car keys and nappy bag and phone and we could be off. RE school pick ups and drop offs I fed DC2 in the car - had to get there early anyway to find parking - so there was never any screaming on school run etc.

re Parks - just sit on a bench and make encouraging sounds while older
one is on swing etc

re enteraining toddler, I had amazing cuddles with DC1 next to me while
I fed DC2 or I would read to her or
watch her do a puzzle or lego or whatever. She also loved pretending to feed her doll while i was feeding the baby.

All that to say I found that bfeeding really worked for me.

Sorry for the essay and any typos. I am feeling really sentimental now 😀

Hello @LittlemissMama67
With my first I was hell bent on breastfeeding. And I made it work, but probably to our detriment for various reasons. I don’t regret it. But what I regret is being blinded by the idea that it was the only and the best way.
with my second, unfortunately I started with the same mindset.it turned out he had a tongue tie and a complete intolerance to milk of any kind, including mine.
my mum and my husband had to really support me as I gave up what I felt was the only way.
my second moved onto a special formula at 8 weeks and was a totally different baby.

yes breastfeeding can work well. But what I would also say, if it isn’t working, it’s bloody awful. And it’s not the holy grail.

my first breast fed boy has a terrible immune system and loads of allergies. I have fab bonds with both, they are securely attached and happy.

im expecting my third now. I will try breastfeeding, but ultimately I will go with whatever works best for the whole family.

having 3 will be hard enough, feeding to be as stress free as possible and that will benefit baby too. Try not to put any pressure on yourself either way and just see how it all goes xx

How about mixed feeding? It doesn’t have to be an all or nothing. Personally I found feeding baby in the sling on the go easier than having to stop and make up a bottle if baby was hungry and I was in the middle of something else.