Nursing #2 concerns...advice? Kinda long.

abear2

I BF'd DS until he was five months old, and I really want to be more successful with DD.  The problem I'm forseeing is not being able to really dedicate myself as much to nursing, particularly in the beginning.  DS would want to nurse for a loooong time, upwards of an hour, every two hours.  So that was really demanding.  I know all babies are different, but I can't see how that will work if DD wants to nurse that much.  I don't think DS will tolerate that well.  DH goes to work at 6 and does not get home until 7 many nights, so I will be mostly on my own for my maternity leave.  DS will continue to go to daycare a few hours during the day so that will help some, but I will inevitably be on my own for a few hours in the am and during the evening dinner/bath/bed rush.  (HUGE props to the SAHM's who do this all day everyday!)

The other worry I have is how to explain this to my DS.  He's still so young, but he's very bright.  When he was maybe 15 months old, he was very curious and looking down my shirt all the time.  I made the mistake of telling him those were "mama's boobs."  Well, he remembers that and will point to them and say "boobs!" even when they are covered.  I'm trying to teach him "private" now when he tries to pull my shirt down, and he's starting to catch on.  However, in just a few months, he will be seeing a lot more naked boob and I'm not sure how I should go about explaining this, and keeping it from being an embarassing situation out in the world.  I've also read that sometimes when an older sibling sees a baby nurse, the sibling will want to nurse too and that kind of freaks me out.  I really want this transition to be smooth for DS, but I'm also really wanting a successful, happy breastfeeding relationship with my DD. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

JARbaby

C was a very demanding 18m old when J arrived. Somehow it just worked out. I BF in the Moby often. Or I would lay down and BF and C would sit on the bed and we would read books or watch tv or play tea on my bed or have a snack. I just said "this is how new babies eat, they don't get all the yummy food you do."

If you do not want him to try it then tell him that if he were to nurse he could not have _____. (whatever is his favorite food item/sippy cup/etc...)

C never asked to try.

hamilton.ja

I just weaned my 2 year old becuase my nursing aversion was so bad but as a part of weaning him I told him that his baby sister couldn't drink anything but milk and he could have all sorts of yummy things so he had to share with her even now before she came out of my tummy. It was fine, he totally understood it.

CaitlinJ22

DS nursed for no more than 30 mins at a time, so every baby is different. After a good 45 mins of nursing, babies are most likely nursing for comfort. I used a paci with ds and plan on it in the beginning with DD. BUt I plan on nursing while sitting on the floor playing, nursing in a sling etc. I think you just adjust. As for the bfing thing in front of LO, I plan on saying that baby needs mommas milk, and he gets to eat lots of other yummy things...I'll name some too.

I am almost done nursing DS, so he is older than your DS when he stopped, and I dont forsee him asking to try. Who knows. Also I think after a few wks of seeing your feed your new baby, he wont even notice. Nursing is demanding in the beginning, but once he hit 3 month it was easier than bottles for me. GL

kgb1411

I nursed #2 for two months during my maternity leave, and I'm weaning now.  I actually thought that nursing was easier than FF while I was home.  When I was nursing I still had one hand free (or both if I used a moby), and could play with DS.  I also didn't have to wash bottles or make formula. 

 

jen5-03

DD will sit in my lap and "hold" DS while he nurses. Or she'll play with toys at my feet. Or she'll play with me by bringing me and baby things to hold (I have a pic of DS about a week old nursing in my lap with every stuffed animal in the house piled around him - like the scene in ET where he hides in the closet)

My DH thought it better to teach DD "real" words so she likes to talk about mama's nipples. And will show you her own nipples. Great fun. Good time to start practicing inside voice vs outside voice

My DD has shown an interest in nursing again. The first time she asked I was able to distract her. The second time I was trying to not make a big deal of it so I let her - she pursed her lips like for a kiss and barely touched my boob and said thanks mama and was done. Now she just nurses her own babydolls instead.