S/O of breastfeeding...thinking about #2 on the way

Harper'smom

And when I think of nursing a newborn I cringe. Toddler nursing was awesome and I think because we did the 1-3 sessions a day thing for so long it is going to be hard to start from scratch. I feel a little bit guilty for feeling this way but come on the early weeks are harrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd. I'm hoping that if there are no food allergies in the equation it will be easier. I guess my confesssion is I'd just prefer to skip the first 9 or 10 months or so and jump in once solids have been introduced. Not sure if these feelings will change when the baby arrives? I hope so, I don't want to begrudge the experience.

daisyterp

I have to say that I found BF'ing to be much easier the 2nd time around. I didn't have to deal w/ any food sensitivities w/ either one of my babies, but I definitely didn't get it with DD that the number one answer is usually to nurse more. I knew with DS that to nurse as soon after birth as possible, expected to nurse 'round the clock during the first few weeks, mastered nursing while wearing him, while laying on my side, etc. all much earlier than I did w/ DD. 

 I nursed DD until she was 22 months old and I was ~24 weeks pregnant, so it was a big change to go from a toddler who could tell me she was all done, needed the "other side," etc. to a newborn, but my milk came in much faster w/ DS (on the 2nd day vs. after 5-6 days w/ DD) and generally I think it was easier because I knew what to expect. 

 

rainlily

Nursing DD#2 has been very easy.  She does have a milk intolerance and GERD, but it is getting better.  You already know what to do and how to nurse comfortably.  You know what will mess with your supply and what will help.  I was also dreading having to nurse around the clock, but it hasn't been that bad.  DD#2 nurses less often than DD#1 did.  It may be due to more milk per feed or just her own needs.  I hope that nursing your second will also be easier!  It was only hard for a couple of weeks due to not being able to "sleep when the baby sleeps" because I had a toddler to chase around during the day! 

Army_Wife_04

I'm having the same fears. Breastfeeding was horrible for about 3 months and when we finally got the hang of it, it still wasn't easy until he was about 6 months old. I loved toddler nursing too, and how laid back it was.  I didn't have to be concerned about him gaining enough anymore, because he was on solids too, and that had always been a major concern of mine until he starting getting nice and chunky at around 7 months old.  I hope it is easier this time around, like PP's have said, since I know what to do, and what to look for and where to go for help if I need it.  Good luck to you!

Harper'smom

@daistyterp & rainlily - I'm glad to hear things have been better the second time around! I hope I can say the same. I'm hoping it in general will just be less stressful. I plan on getting help to learn to nurse in a carrier while on the go. I was never good at nursing away from my "set up" and I think the self confinement made everything worse emotionally.

Qmommy

BFing #2 is so much easier!  I think it's easier because I already know what to do and DD2 was the only one learning.  With DD1 we were both learning.  As far as allergies / sensitivities you know what to look out for the 2nd time around so you figure things out much faster!

I'm currently tandem nursing and loving it. 

ncbelle

While it is weird to go from nursing a toddler to nursing a newborn, it's SO much easier the second time around (and that was with E having some intolerances when C had none).  I think it's mostly because you know how hard it can be and that changes your outlook?  Really everything has been so much easier the second time around ;-)

Harper'smom

ncbelle:

While it is weird to go from nursing a toddler to nursing a newborn, it's SO much easier the second time around (and that was with E having some intolerances when C had none).  I think it's mostly because you know how hard it can be and that changes your outlook?  Really everything has been so much easier the second time around ;-)

Keep the good news coming NCbelle! I'm glad I'm starting to see a few more of the AP moms who had #2 in the last year coming back out of the woodwork around here as well as the new crop of babies that are coming to the board soon. This pregnancy is going by so quickly that most days I don't have time to process it and then on days like today I look at my tickers and start thinking about everything at once and then the "what if" spiral begins :-)

WildcatPrincess

I feel the exact same way! We had latch issues and DD was dehydrated and needed an IV that first week, then I had mastitis and yeast off and on the first 6 months. It was just constant pain. I'm hoping knowing what to do this time will at least help and hopefully we won't have all the infections!