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Breastfeeding
2nd time bfing question
This is a repost from 0-3. I'm having DS#2 in February and getting a little nervous about bfing discomfort. Last time was crazy hard for me. I had a c/sec w/ general anasthesia and DS was in NICU for 4 days. I was not able to see him for 2 days and my milk came in on day 10. So he's had a bunch of formula to start with. We ended up bfing for 11 months (had a stomach virus and milk supply dried up) but the first 6 weeks were incredibly hard and painful. I'm wondering if the second time around is easier/less painful? It's been 3.5 yrs since I had a newborn if that makes a difference.
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Re: 2nd time bfing question
I didn't have the same situation as you but I can say that Bfing is both easier and harder the second time around.
It is easier in the sense that you know how hard it is and how often you are Bfing in the beginning. You also have a little more confidence in making sure you get a good latch, etc. With my first I think I endured a lot of bad latches in the beginning because I was too afraid to pull him off and get it right. With DS#2 I was a little more confident.
I think it might be harder because often you are also trying to watch your other child - not easy when actually nursing. It is also harder because you assume that this second child will be the same "type" of nurser as your first child. With DS#2, I spent so many days stressing about why he didn't nurse like DS#1. DS#1 always nursed from both sides and was really soothed by nursing. DS#2 sometimes nursed from both sides and in general it was a struggle to get him to nurse - didn't seem to soothe him at all. He is better now but it took me a long time to realize - he is just a different baby and has different habits.
I think it should be ok for me in terms of watching #2 as he'll be in daycare most of the day. DH is taking 4 weeks off to help so he'll be taking care of DS1 after daycare in the eve too. I'm hoping by the time I take over caring for both, I'll have bfing down.
With #2, I don't remember it being more painful. What I do really remember is those first 6 weeks are still hard....lots of feedings, not getting much sleep, trying to keep baby awake at the boob, etc. But then around the 6-7 week mark, you get into a groove and things get easier.
I do agree it's a little harder with other children to keep busy, but you make it work. I'm execting #3 anyday, so I'm sure I'll be posting about my experience this time around.
I found it easier with #2. I knew enough about latching that I didn't make some of the same mistakes I did the first time around. I knew more resources (like the wonderful LCs at my hospital). My milk came in sooner.
Part of it was just that DD was an easier baby, though. She ate quickly and slept well from the beginning so I didn't have quite the sleep deprivation I did with DS. Plus he was colicky and had reflux, so bf'ing was really hard for a while.
One nice thing about being a second time parent is you know that stages come and go. It's easier to remember that bf'ing gets much easier as you go on and that someday you will sleep again.