2nd time around - how much is experience vs. different baby?

AimeeL85

We are getting ready to have our second LO in a few weeks and I am surprisingly nervous about what kind of a start we will get with BFing this time.

DS only latched successfully once in the hospital. At home, I pumped like a madwoman around the clock to get enough for all of his feedings until he was 3 weeks old and finally latched. It wasn't until 5 weeks that he was completely on the breast.  After that it was easy and he nursed until he was 19 months.

It makes me wonder if I am likely to have an easier start this time since I'm experienced with it....or if experience means nothing because it's all about the baby. I wonder if DS had been my second or third baby, if it would have been easier...or we would have had the same issues.  Curious what other moms of 2+ think?

 

tbone_bride

Latching was much easier with number 2. But I have oversupply issues this time. I don't think the experience with number 1 will be the same as 2. Good luck, I'm sure all will be fine!

jennygirlmt

DD2 gave me some problems, though dd1 wasn't a piece of cake. We spent a week fighting nursing, losing weight and it wasn't until the second week that we got it. I think being a STM helped.

Honestly, I never understood how women give up in the first week. Well without the experience of breast feeding my first for 21 months, and the encouragement of DH, my mom and mil, I would have lost it. I even gave in and gave pumped milk a few times bc I was so stressed. I spent an hour trying to get her to latch while she screamed, I cried, and then we started all over an hour later.

So I think a lot of it is the baby. Hopefully it's an easy one for you!

LissaLee

There is a certain level of confidence that comes with baby #2 or more, but alot has to do with the baby his/her self. I had lots of issues with DC #1 (bad latch, yeast infection, nipple shield, mastitis etc), absolutely no issues with DC #2, and now with DC #3 I've been dealing with a bad latch, cracked nipples, and an infection in my left nipple.

Just remember that if you even suspect that something is not working right, contact your LC ASAP! It may save you a lot of stress or unnecessary pain.

EMOmamma

DS1 was in the NICU for a week and we were never able to get him onto the breast full time. I was EPing by week 4.
DD has been so much easier. Still no piece of cake, but much better at transferring milk from day 1. If she had been first I think I could have done better with DS and maybe not have had to resort to EPing.

meganandchase

DS was so difficult.  He had a hard time latching.  I didn't know what I was doing either.  We both cried a lot.  DD, the second baby was SO MUCH easier.  She had a latch on in the recovery room.  I think it helped me bond with her more quickly. 

JKB1986

DS1 was a piece of cake. DS2 was very difficult! I say a lot of it has to do with the baby although having confidence from prior nursing success is what gave me the motivation to get through the difficult stuff. Had DS2 been my first encounter with breastfeeding I would have been a lot more likely to give up!

Tina272

I think while the having the experience helps it is largely due to the baby.  I had so many problems with nursing DD I can't even begin to tell you them all.  The second DS latched in the recovery room I knew everything was going to be different this time.  Good luck.

Torani

DS2 was easier, but had his own issues.  With DS1, I also had to pump for the first 6wks, as he would not latch on for more than a few seconds.  He eventually got the hang of it and we went on to nurse for 13 months.  With DS2, he could latch on (I'm sure part of it was knowing how to hold him), but he had trouble sucking without thrusting his tongue out.  So we suck trained about 2wks with a SNS.  Overall, much easier, and my supply is a lot better this time around (usually only pump twice at work instead of three times for the same amount!).  I hope things go better for you this time around too!

rcbuko

I am on my third baby and have had challenges with each baby.  I haven't dealt with anything too bad but have experienced blistered, cracked, and painful nipples with all three.  It was the worst with DD2.  

I think the advantage second time moms have over first time moms is to know that time will actually make things better/easier.  We can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Each baby needs to learn how to breast feed effectively.  None of mine took to it right away though I BF for 13 months with DD1 and 16 months with DD2.  I plan to BF at least a year with DS and will let him self wean like I did with DD2.