Was anyone unsuccessful nursing Baby#1 but successful with baby #2?

I never had much success breastfeeding my DD. We tried for about a month after she was born and she latched maybe 2-3 times. She was in the NICU for 4 days after she was born and I had a c-section, so by the time I saw her and held her for the first time she had already had several bottle feedings and she just always prefered it. I finally gave up after a month because it was very frustrating. I pumped for a few weeks after that but never had a well developed milk supply.

I think back and that was the biggest disappointment for me. I came the the point where I was OK with it, but still Breastfeeding was something that was very important to me and I always thought I would do.

I am now 7 weeks away from meeting our new Little One and I'd really like to give it a try again. I am a SAHM now so I don't have the pressure of returning to work in 6-8 weeks, and I have more patience now that I am not a "new mom" anymore.

Has anyone had success breastfeeding their 2nd child even if they weren't able to with their first?

Re: Was anyone unsuccessful nursing Baby#1 but successful with baby #2?

I had a hard time with DD, ultimately I was successful. But with DS, it was SO MUCH EASIER. I was more relaxed. I think that definitely helped.

Re: Was anyone unsuccessful nursing Baby#1 but successful with baby #2?

I did. DD1 wouldn't latch at all. I pumped for 8 weeks or so and then she finally did latch on and we BF for 15 months.

DD2 latched right on and was a great nurser!

I had a c-section with both of them.

Re: Was anyone unsuccessful nursing Baby#1 but successful with baby #2?

Thank you both for your responses! That gives me hope!

I think there was a lot of anxiety involved with my DD. After seeing her for the first time in the NICU and finding that they had already fed her bottles without me ever trying to nurse her (I did say that she would be breastfed only but they must not have marked it on her chart!), then only being able to try in the NICU and not in the privacy of our own room, a lactation consultant never came to see us in the hospital --- when I asked they said that "They don't come in on weekends" ) and then my Mom was a Le Leche League Leader for over 20 years...and I had SO MUCH PRESSURE from her...

I just gave up. It was so stressful and after a month of trying, I was tired of hearing my baby cry every time I tried to get her to nurse, and I am sure she sense my tension also, and it iddn't work for us.

I am really hoping to speak up more in the hospital this time, and to approach it with a little bit more ease and patience. I would love for it to work!

So I appreciate your responses!
Melissa

Re: Was anyone unsuccessful nursing Baby#1 but successful with baby #2?

I was successful with both of my boys and I also had a csection with both boys. BUT the 1st time was MUCH MUCH harder than the 2nd time around.
I think you'll find it easier too since you have already experienced some struggles the 1st time around. It took me 8 weeks to get it going the first time and the second time only 1 week!
Good luck I hope it works out for you this time around!!!