Breastfeeding second time around?

So I breastfed my first for the first year until he self weaned. I was miserable. I am planning on trying again this time and hoping it is more "for me" than the last time but I know that if it ends up being as awful that I really need to stop for my sanity and the sanity of both of my children. Is there anyone that:

1. Breastfed successfully the first time but didn't with following children?

2. Had an easier time the second time around and loved it after either hating it or not being able to?

I am getting uneasy about it already and just wanted to bounce some thoughts off of yoiu all!

Breastfeeding second time around?

What part did you hate? The pain in the beginning? The pumping at work? Everything?

I had a SUPER rough time nursing my first. Bad latch, pain, awful. Moved to exclusive pumping--also awful for me. Moved to formula--difficult as well! I hated having to have supplies with me, 100 bottles everywhere, etc.

This time, I am successfully nursing and lovjng it. I also went PT at work so that helps too. I think every experience is different, so give it a shot and if it's not for you then stop. Just know that ALL feeding methods have their good and bad.

Re: Breastfeeding second time around?

I struggled the first time, but worked through the issues. DS1 also nursed for 45-60 minutes as a newborn and never became that efficient. Even as a toddler, he'd nurse for 30 minutes. He didn't STTN until 7 months. It took about 4 or 5 months before I enjoyed nursing. He weaned at 15 months.

With DS2, everything was so much easier. Other than some discomfort for the first several weeks and a slight oversupply, there were no issues. He nursed 10 minutes per side from the beginning and started STTN at 10 weeks. I didn't mind nursing at all the second time around because things were so different and less time consuming. DS2 nursed until 20 months.

Re: Breastfeeding second time around?

I'm not a fan of driving yourself crazy by breastfeeding.

I BF & supplemented (both needed it) for about 5 months per child. The second child was easier than the first because she was gentler on the boob.

Both are very healthy, happy kids & I stopped when going back to work on a full schedule.

I'd take it by day. There is no need to go nuts.

Re: Breastfeeding second time around?

Thanks ladies!

I had a rough start---lots of clogged ducts and mastitis. I had a big oversupply. My son was never efficient and I hated always feeling like I couldn't leave the house since I was not comfortable nursing in public.

I know each method of feeding has its challenges for sure but I do love the idea of being able to have help sometimes.

I am glad to know that for some of you it was easier the secodn time aroudn! I am praying for that!

Re: Breastfeeding second time around?

I never liked breastfeeding. Ever. I liked not washing bottles, I feel strongly about the benefits of breastmilk, but I pretty much hated it.
With #1, it was terrible, she took forever, each feeding in the beginning was like an hour+, it always hurt, I barely made enough milk for her. I nursed her for about 9 months, when she just refused to latch on anymore and I just did not want to pump.
With #2, the physical act of breastfeeding was so much easier, she latched well, nursed efficiently, it's just been super easy in that respect, but I still don't like it.

Breastfeeding second time around?

My mom BF me then with my brother, he never took to it, she blames the emergency c-section and MAJOR complications she had. He never BF (though she tried for a short period, then decided it wasn't worth it and to just FF). I don't think she felt any strong way about either method!

Re: Breastfeeding second time around?

I'm finding that it's MUCH easier the 2nd time around. It's also good to have good support. I find attending a weekly group with a lactation consultant has helped greatly. Good luck!

Re: Breastfeeding second time around?

I had really no interest in bf dd1 and wanted to pump. i did both until she was around 5m.
With dd2 she was such an efficient sucker. I felt I owed it to her to do it. It ended up working out so much better for me. I was never really good with bringing the bottle out with dd1 but now I had a way to feed dd2 wherever. We are over a year and going strong.

Re: Breastfeeding second time around?

I'm going to be honest, I never enjoyed it, either time.

First was easier in terms of latch, etc, but my supply sucked. I barely made enough to feed my dd. When I went back to work I could not pump as often and my supply tanked. I had to supplement and did so until a year. She was an easy baby as far as breastfeeding went. She latched well from the beginning and didn't have much trouble in that regard.

Second baby was harder to nurse directly and I had to stop and now I exclusively pump. His latch was horrible, never improved and after 8 weeks of constant excruciating pain, I stopped and started exclusively pumping. I tried meeting with a lactation consultant and had him checked for tongue tie, which he didn't have. Nothing ever helped. His latch was wrong and it would cause me excruciating pain and he would never empty my breasts completely and I would end up having to pump from engorgement. I pump now, but have an oversupply and make enough to feed my ds and extra to freeze. My supply is much much better the second time around and like I said I make a pretty decent amount, so in that regard the second time was easier. I guess what I'm really trying to say is both times had there own difficulties. So neither time was really ever easier.

My best advice is don't drive yourself crazy. If you can do it, great, if not don't beat yourself up. There is nothing wrong with formula and a happy mom is the most important thing.

Good luck!!

Message edited 3/25/2015 5:35:47 PM.

Breastfeeding second time around?

I EP'd and supplemented with DD until she was 10m old. I was hoping to make it to a year but my already low supply pretty much disappeared once I got pregnant again. I EP'd because she never really latched.

I think I'll try BFing again. I feel like I owe it to #2 since I tried so hard with #1. However if it doesn't work out again, I don't know if I'll EP again. It was so difficult and time consuming with #1 that I can't imagine doing it with 2 under 2. We'll see.

Re: Breastfeeding second time around?

Breastfeeding was soooo much easier with my second. My milk came in faster, I knew what I was doing and was more confident. The baby latched beautifully from birth and it was a much more enjoyable experience compared to my first which was a huge struggle, but we did succeed. The only issue I had with my second was a drastic oversupply. It took about 2 month to even out. I can't even imagine how much milk I am going to have when this one comes.

Breastfeeding second time around?

ooh it sounds like you had a rough time!
I bf both kids, with my first, my dd was in the NICU and she was started on formula. I had a few rough days where I had to transition her to boob, but it went smooth from there.

My son took to it right away and no issues.

I loved breastfeeding, so I did it a while but if you are miserable, don't push yourself.

Re: Breastfeeding second time around?

I had a harder time in the very beginning with #2 than with #1. I blame myself for being overconfident. I didn't even get to see the LC in the hospital with #2, we kept missing each other and I didn't push to see her before we left because I figured I knew what I was doing. DS wasn't latching great, feedings were lasting way too long, he'd keep falling asleep. He lost some weight, my ped made me supplement, which made everything harder. I finally went to an LC and it was like a miracle! She fixed my latch in one visit and we were able to kick the supplementing not long after. Once we got over that hump, it was fine. I personally think it's easier than making and cleaning bottles, plus you don't need to worry about having a bottle when you're out.

Moral of my story is, I now swear by LC's. Make sure you utilize yours in the hospital and see one afterwards if you're having issues. They are a Godsend!

Re: Breastfeeding second time around?

Following this because I'm in a similar boat. I breastfed DS exclusively till he weaned but never really enjoyed it despite the fact I had a relatively easy time of it (typical rough start/painful nips but he gained weight and thrived). He had a dairy intolerance and I had to adjust my entire diet but kept with it because I felt it was best for him and it was less expensive then prescription formula (turns out I am cheaper to feed). I also had DMER which made the whole experience less then pleasant and had to pump in the bathroom at work to give him milk @ daycare. Still planning on doing the same for this DC but hoping maybe it will be miraculously different this time.