Was BF easier for you the 2nd time around?

[ami_lynn]

Hello

I am just a few days away from having a baby ...after visiting this board for awhile, I am wondering if my nipples will be as sore as they were with my first LO?  It's been awhile since I BF.

I know a lot will depend on the baby...and at least I know what to expect a bit more (last time I was SO clueless; the first 6 weeks were really much harder than anyone wanted me to know!  ). 

Thanks for your thoughts! Ami

[deenz]

Yes!  Although I was still bf'ing my eldest, so that may have helped with not having sore nipples or anything. 

Just remember though that your last memories of bf'ing were of an older baby, so it can be hard to think back to nursing a newborn who can't just latch on by themselves etc!  Get the nurses/midwives to help you with that, but it will probably come back to you quite quickly!

Good luck!

[RachelC]

Honestly, no.  The second time around was harder for me.  I felt as if I had to learn all over again. 
It is very important to remember that although you have done this before, your new lo has not.  I wish you the best of luck, and get all the help you can early on.  Don't be embarrassed or scared to talk to nurses/midwives/lacation consultants... they are there to help!

[Katet]

Second time was easier for me, partly cos I didn't have a sleepy baby, but one that "wanted to feed" but also because I "knew" it was ok for it to take 20 or more attempts to get my baby to latch on, where as first time around when it didn't happen after a couple of attempts I was thinking "oh this isn't working". So for me 2nd time around was more about "me" knowing it would/could be hard... rather than "knowing nothing"

[JacobMarksMummy]

Oh, this is interesting! I'm worried when my next one arrives I'll find it harder just due to the fact that DS was/is such an easy baby to BF and I wouldnt be lucky enough to have two great breastfeeders. I'm worried I'll think I know what to do and would be prepared for anything and in my over confidence I'd mess it up. I guess the only thing to do is wait and see!

[Harvey and Theos Mam]

I found it harder too.

When Harvey was born he wouldn't latch on everytime and i had to give him ebm through a syringe and then decided that a bottle would be better. He did get it in the end but i never had a cracked nipple, (maybe that is because i wouldn't suffer and just kept removing himand relatching).

When Theo was born he latched on lovely at first and then after about 2 days it became a struggle as he would sort of try to rip my nipple off due to wind ( i think).
It was always worst @ 3am when i was overtired nad frustrated by the on/off thing he had going in the early hours.
And i also had a very fast let down which he would choke on.

I spent most of my time laying down to feed and at night i would lay on my back with him on my tummy to feed him as my letdown was always worse @ night.

Goodluck,all babies are not the same so you will hopefully just sail through it.

[Mariek]

You're right Nome, this is a really interesting topic!

I'm terrified I won't be able to BF again this time around - and that I'll have to go through all those feelings of guilt and failure again (because that sucked). In my head I know there were a list of problems that contributed to me not being able to BF Grace (most of which were beyond my control) but my hearts still thinking maybe it was all my fault - maybe I didn't try hard enough, maybe I should have shouted louder for help, maybe I shouldn't have quit so easily.

Great, now I'm crying at my desk in work!! Unresolved issues?? Me?? Never!!

I'm just hoping that this time I'll be more prepared, that the birth will be more straight forward and that I'll be able to work it out and stick it out. I'm sure I'll be driving you ladies bonkers with questions and whinges!I'm just glad I'll have that support this time around.

love

[Harvey and Theos Mam]

I went to a breasrfeeding club for support as well as coming on here.
Obviously they couldn't tell me anything at the support group that i hadn't alreay tried, but it was still geat to get out and talk to others about it.

Why don't you see if there is one in your area and go visit them before you have the baby as they tend to have women there from "La leche" and they will pop around to your house and help when the baby comes. I got a phone number in my baby bag to call one woman if i ever needed her to come to my house. I still go some weeks but it is on the same day i take Harvey to school and i think Harvey needs his play at school more than i need to go to this group. But i will go every so often.

Ps.....i was the only one there that was still b/f so you haven't got to be a b/f mother to attend these groups.

[Samuel's mum]

Marie - there are a large crowd of women here to help you! Imagine if we were all in one room - that would be a heck of a breastfeeding group!
It will be different this time round. You will be more confident about knowing where to go for help. With the right planning and expectations you may not even need it. Don't feel you did anything 'wrong' last time. Things were beyond your control as you say and guilt is completely unjustified. A crappy system let you down and now you know where to go for a least a bit more support - here!

[Mariek]

Thanks Ladies

Sorry Ami - looks like I've hijacked your thread a bit

love

[ami_lynn]

You're fine, Marie!    I am glad you are getting some encouragement!  I really hope things work out for you this time!  

To be honest, it's good for me to read the threads on this board.  With ds, he latched on really well from the beginning, it's just that his suction was like a vaccuum!   My nipples were purple (not cracked or bleeding) for about the first three months until they toughened up. 

I never even thought about my new LO not being able to latch correctly.   Of cousre, a myriad of things can happen when you try to bf.   

I called my lactation consultant ALL the time last time around!   She was available 24 hours.  I hope I get a good one this time, too. 

Ami

[sophiems]

BF overall was easier for me the 2nd time around.  However, the one thing that was worse was the post-partum contractions while nursing the 2nd time.  I guess when you nurse your uterus contracts to get back to normal...much more painful with my 2nd.  I think it just all depends on the babies.  But overall, you know what to expect and can prepare for the things that made it hard the first time around. 
The other part is that with the 2nd you have an older child that still needs to be entertained while you're dealing with the nursing...I suggest a "nursing basket" of special toys, books, snacks, etc. that the older child can get out only when you're nursing. 

[jbepko]

It some ways the second LO was easier....I had alot of confidence in myself and my body. Of course I've had two bouts of mastitis and none the first time! I found "Soothies" at some maternity store and wore them after his first feed (after birth) and for the next week...they really helped with that nipple cracking. I really don't remember any cracking this time round....I remember how much it hurt the first time. Then I went to Lanolin. I would place a small mound in a disposable bra pad and change after every feeding. It worked great for me for the first couple of weeks. I am truely blessed that both of my LO had good latch-on's. But my attack strategy saved me from dreading the "latch-on" phase of nursing.

[Duckie]

Marie - these ladies are awesome!!!  TRUST ME!  I've been nursing for 10 days, when I thought I was going to give up last Thursday!

[GraceKellysmom]

I was moderating this board around the time #2 came along. I had to crash course my textbooks the last couple weeks and read up on newborns and nursing again! Just remember to get a really good and wide latch, bringing the baby to you on pillows and not leaning over or trying to hold him in your arms. The first few weeks are demanding, but you know that now, feeding every 1.5-2hrs days and 2-3 hrs nights. If you just go into it with that mindset, survive the first 6 weeks with two and keep nursing, you'll do fine.

Nursing was pretty easy for me the second time around, but I still had a ton of questions. Is his poop supposed to look like this? Why won't he eat more than four minutes? How can I keep him awake to nurse longer? We all ask the questions every time, each baby is so different!

Best of luck!