BFing moms of 2 +

CollieJade

Was breastfeeding your second or third child as hard as the first?

On a subject near and dear and close to my heart, I was reading this post from our lovely Mrs.Donkey at Baby Rabies, and some of the comments about how hard BFing is/was got me thinking about whether it'll be hard for #2.

I really hope it's easier. I'm scared, first of all, that it'll be as hard as it was with Baby A, and on top of that I'm scared I'll have the same supply problems.  And if I DO have the same supply troubles, I am afraid of both NOT trying as hard, and of actually wanting to try as hard as I did with A.  The whole thing just stresses me out.

Anyway, just curious about what the average experience is out there with subsequent children.

 

Angie&Doc

I had a horrible time with ds and I hated it! It only lasted a total of 3 weeks. I didn't have enough milk and it was a horrible experience. I have always said that I will go straight to formula feeding with baby #2. But, I am already leaking!!!! At 25 weeks pregnant! So, I am thinking that I will be flowing with milk this time around. If so, I am going to 'try' to nurse this baby.

My mom couldn't nurse me {the 1st child} and then nursed my brother and sister just fine. She said that she had plenty of milk with them. So, who knows?!

mcgee

Honestly, both of my kids were fairly easy, all things considered. Alex is/was easier than Meredith though.

jacks123

Breastfeeding with both of my girls was fairly easy for me too.  Although breastfeeding with the second has been much easier and less stressful than with my first daughter. 

userdeleted

Breastfeeding Leo was horrible, and I quit after about 3 weeks. With Charlie it's been a breeze. He latched right on the first time and never looked back.

Have hope! It might be completely different

heybabe

Yep, #2 has been easier. DS1 was fairly easy after the initial soreness & anxiety & all the usual stress. With DS2 there was never even that. A new nurse after a shift change in the hospital was surprised I had no BF questions & DS2 was eating like a champ & I guess I seemed pretty calm until I said it was my 2nd & she was like 'oh ok, that explains it.' Don't give up hope - #2 could be a breeze for you!

amyliisa

I don't have 2 yet, but wanted to let you know that my good friend have VERY rough time bf-ing her first, and had a very low supply. I can't remember how long she held out but I know she was supplementng fairly early and never produced enough to ebf. With her 2nd, she had no problems and actually had over-supply. So, ditto pp - don't lose hope!

Temp13436125005166

With DD I had bleeding, cracked sore nipples for the first 4 months - it was very painful and hard at first.  I also got 3 rounds of mastitis.  I only ever had mild supply problems that I could fix with oatmeal, herbs, and lots of pumping and nursing...

With Ryan it's been a breeze!  When he was born he nursed for 45 minutes straight!  It was awesome and he latched right away. My nipples were barely sore at all. No mastitis, I did get a plugged duct once though.  And supply has been great, I have quite a stash (that's probably due to him not drinking much milk when I'm at work though...).  So for me it was so much easier the second time.

BubbleToes

I had a rough start with Audrey but it's been a breeze with Finn.

carlinlp

bf'ing ty was difficult at best but he had an attached tongue and it worked against us in a major way.  taryn was easier, although i had a lot of plugged ducts and mastitis....but i blame a lot of that on hurricane katrina.  i had little resources and felt a TON of pressure to bf her because being homeless, there was no other option, no way to fix bottle, sterilize, etc.  i HAD to make it work and we did.  the actual process with her was MUCH easier than with ty.  teagan i had zero pain and it went well but my boobs got smart and would NOT work with a pump and all and that was difficult.  he failed to thrive for awhile but we nursed until he self weaned and we did great.  so my answer is yes, it did get easier but each baby is different and will present different obstacles! 

TXAggieBride06

BF is like 562 times easier with #2 than with #1.  Thank God!!  I haven't been sore for one second this time around and with #1 there were many moments of painful tears while trying to nurse.  I only BF #1 for 3 months but with #2 it's like I've been BF for years...totally natural this time around. 

 

Emer

heybabe:

Yep, #2 has been easier. DS1 was fairly easy after the initial soreness & anxiety & all the usual stress. With DS2 there was never even that. A new nurse after a shift change in the hospital was surprised I had no BF questions & DS2 was eating like a champ & I guess I seemed pretty calm until I said it was my 2nd & she was like 'oh ok, that explains it.' Don't give up hope - #2 could be a breeze for you!

Ditto 100%.  The biggest thing for me was the stress.  Having made the decision to wean once with #1, I was in a better mindset with #2.  I knew we would both be ok if it didn't work and I knew how much pressure I put on myself with #1.  I was so laid back about it and it was smooth sailing.

CollieJade

Emer:

heybabe:

Yep, #2 has been easier. DS1 was fairly easy after the initial soreness & anxiety & all the usual stress. With DS2 there was never even that. A new nurse after a shift change in the hospital was surprised I had no BF questions & DS2 was eating like a champ & I guess I seemed pretty calm until I said it was my 2nd & she was like 'oh ok, that explains it.' Don't give up hope - #2 could be a breeze for you!

Ditto 100%.  The biggest thing for me was the stress.  Having made the decision to wean once with #1, I was in a better mindset with #2.  I knew we would both be ok if it didn't work and I knew how much pressure I put on myself with #1.  I was so laid back about it and it was smooth sailing.

I really hope that's how I'll feel if/when #2 comes along!

Thanks for all the input gals.  I feel better.

Taytee

A MILLION times easier with Emily. I think because I knew what to do the instant my nipples started to feel even a little raw. With Abby they got to cracked and bleeding before I knew to work better on latch, drying them and positioning etc. I also do not have the same supply issues in the least

Try not to stress!

Ruby44

I know exactly what you mean.

I had the WORST time BFing #1. I had PPD, she was jaundiced at first, she wouldn't latch, she had reflux. It was a nightmare. I ended up EPing for about 10 weeks then my supply ran out. I really stressed about it and beat myself up for it, and I was determined to NOT stress myself out about BFing the second time around.

#2 was a COMPLETELY different experience. Funny though, because he didn't latch right after he was born and I got frustrated and decided I wouldn't BF at all. So he was on formula for about 3-4 days until my boobs hurt really bad one day and I decided to try BFing. He latched right away. It was awesome! And I'm still BFing (he's almost 8 months old) and pumping (I work FT). We have had to supplement him b/c of weight issues, but he's a great breast feeder! Complete 180 from my experience with #1. So there is hope!!

JezcaM

most of my friends seem to have an easier time with kid2 than kid1, so i'm hoping i have the same experience. i mean, it makes sense that the 2nd kid would be a little easier bcse at least this time one of you kinda knows what you're doing, but then each baby is different so you don't know. i'm hopeful #2 is easier but mentally prepared for the opposite, just in case.