Breast Feeding discussion

Dazzieboo

I was in a similiar situation when I had my Son (9 years ago !), my Daughter was exactly 2 years old and I had him by C section, I really wanted to breastfeed but at times was so uncomfortable, just couldn't. I was really lucky with him, as he would latch onto anything, so his night time feed and breakfast would be breast, but during the day would be bottle, expressed milk or formular, I switched back to this routine after he had been off the breast 4 days, so I can't help thinking you should be ok.

Good luck.

looby-loo_2

Hi, congratulations on the birth of your baby. It is possible in theory to start again at any time. Production of milk is stimulated by the sucking, etc.

It's whether you really want to. You seem to have listed all the points for and and against and now have to decide what fits your situation best. I think some babies adapt to bottle and boob whereas some just never can mix. Have a go and see if she will adapt. I wouldn't worry about the two year old being jealous. Keep a book or toy next to you whilst you feed the new baby and he will be glad of the time you spend sitting with him. I'm sure sometimes mine forgot the baby was there - just thought it was extra 'me'
time!

Whatever you choose don't feel guilty, just be happy to have two little people to care for and love.

andyrules

Hi
After baby number 2 (large, greedy baby), I wasn't in the best of health and consequently struggled to feed him myself. So I breast-fed him during the night (convenient) and managed one day-time feed, and he happily took the bottle for the other times. So we both had the best of both worlds.

Could you try something like that, then if you decide against the breast, switching back shouldn't be an issue.

From what you've said, I think you may regret not trying for a short while anyway, but you clearly need the flexibility for returning to work.

Congrats on your LO :beer: and make sure you look after yourself, it's tough with 2 babes! (btw take no notice of my username!!)

abbecer

My situation was very similar. I managed to feed DS2 for a week and was managing ok(ish)!! However my DS1 became very distant with me and was constantly rejecting me. I did try to involve him with the baby but also make sure he had 1:1 time. Problem was that to him it looked like i was cuddling this new baby almost 24 hours, quite literally. In the end me and DH took the decision to bottlefeed as baby wasn't settling with breast anyway. Best thing we did. If it is more managable for you as a family to bottleffed then do it and don't feel guilty.

Rebecca x

P.S while my milk was still coming i expressed a little into a cup when i got in the bath. I mixed this with formula and he was fine with it. Try this then Kaitlyn will still get a little bit more breast goodness.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

nearlyrich

I agree it's hard when you already have a LO. mine are 19 months apart and I had to spend 7 weeks in hospital at the end of my 2nd pregnancy so DS was already feeling abandoned.

I fed DD at night and used a bottle during the day so anyone could feed her and so DS didn't think I was just giving her all my time.

I am sure whatever you do will be the best for your family so don't stress about it and enjoy your babies.

pookienoodle

Hi and congratulations.
It sounds as though you would like to start b/feeding her again .if thats the case give it a go.
breastfeeding is really hard in the first few weeks until you have a settled routine and then it is so simple it is second nature.
give it a try again you can always go back to bottle later on (or mix feed or express)
It is much harder to go back to boob the longer you leave it.
you must all ready know the benefits of breastfeeding vs bottle so why not give it one more go(if it is too much don't beat yourself up about it)
feel free to pm me if you would like advice or a chat ( I am b/feeding my seven month old at the moment so can give practical advice)
good luck whatever you choose.

BernadetteN

Just go for it if that's what you want.

There may be short term gains to bottle feeding, such as spending time with your toddler or allowing your partner to share the experience of feeding, but these are far outweighed by the long term benefits to your baby, as I'm sure you already know.

I can't give you any advice I'm afraid on bottle feeding but I've breastfed for 7 years in the last 10 years and I've managed to go back to work after 4 periods of maternity leave with nowhere to express.

You may be able to succeed with something that I never managed and that's getting a breastfed baby to accept a bottle too! That would certainly have made my returns to work easier.

If you decide to breastfeed, just take all offers of help and enjoy your time feeding by relaxing. If I didn't breastfeed, I doubt I would have ever spent any time sitting down in the first few weeks.

Good luck whatever you do.

bumpybecky

congratualtions on you new arrival

If I were in your position I'd try to start breastfeeding again. You don't have to exclusively breastfeed in order for your baby to benefit from breastmilk - any that you give her will be benficial you might find feeding some breastmilk and some formula works for you

My eldest two were 2 years 5 days part, so I know it can be hard on the older child when you have to devote so much time to the baby. However, with a bit of juggling you can feed the baby while having a cuddle with the older one, maybe sitting down reading a book or watching some telly together.

Don't worry about feeding when you return to work until nearer the time! it sounds as though you might well be mixed feeding anyway.

If you want more tips on re-starting breastfeeding try here..

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/relactation.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/decrease-formula.html

good luck

Becles

Mine were two years apart, and I bought some toy dolls bottles for my eldest. We used to sit together and he'd feed a teddy while I fed the baby, and we'd watch something on TV or read a book.

He then got bored with bottle feeding teddies though, and kept stuffing the dogs head up his top to breast feed her, and the stupid dog was daft enough to let him

We also had "Joshua's special time" which was when the baby was having a nap and we'd doing something non-baby related like a craft activity or baking or something of his choice.

Mummy_Jo

I know exactly what you are going through. My daughter Katelyn (spooky!) is 8 weeks old and my son was 2 last week. I exclusivley breastfed Kristian and stopped when he was one. Became pregnant within 4 weeks but that is another story!

Katelyn has a tongue tie which makes breastfeeding absolutely awful. Things are getting easier now but she still feeds every 2 hours. On Christmas eve I went out and bought an expressing machine. This is brill. I expressed my milk and handed it over to my husband who fed her - this way he got involved. He never had this opportunity with Kristian. I did find though that she would have to go onto the breast still as she needed just a little more than the expressing machine could pull off. But, it meant that my nipples got a rest as she was only on for a few minutes.

This may be a way for you to continue breastfeeding but allowing someone else to be involved. I find that my son is brilliant with her. Sometimes I have both of them on my knee when I am feeding or I try and read a book or something else with him. I also try and make him get involved with her by asking him to pass me nappies and wipes etc. He helps me push the pram or count her toes etc... I do try very hard to make him feel included and important. I always put him to bed myself so that he gets to spend time with just me. So far we haven't had too many problems.

I hope you work out what you want to do. Remember your sanity is the most important thing. I'd be happy to offer any more advice if you need it.

Good Luck

Jo