Any issues with bf second time round??

[Mel32]

I've stopped bf my 15 month old this week and I'm pregnant with number two.

I have just made huge assumptions that i will do the same this time round with no issues but then I wondered if it's possible to have problems with supply 2nd time when you didn't the first? I'm sure it is possible but, are the odds high enough to have to have a backup plan? I hope not dont know the first thing about bottles, my first never had one even for a second so I think I'd be overwhelmed with all the kit decisions.

That said I really think I might need to express some after the initial few weeks because there might be times when I'm much much busier with 2, or need 1 to 1 time with my son and it would allow OH to help feed new baby. So I guess I better start researching bottles and pumps and sterilisers!


P.s hope it's OK to ask in here, rather than bf forum as I didn't think it was used much x

 

[Emily0505]

I've had issues the second time round but they are the exact same issues as I had the first time. I believe I had low prolactin levels (domperidone has helped with this to a certain extent) but I'm almost certain I have Insufficient Glandular Tissue which leads to low supply.

If you've been successful first time round, I'm sure you'll be fine second time round. Despite having issues again, I've found bf easier this time as I know what I'm doing and prepared for how tough the early days are.

I'm combination feeding as I don't make enough milk to bf exclusively (despite all the meds and supplements hence IGT).

Formula and bottles etc aren't that scary or complicated and if you do end up going down that route I'm sure you'll be fine.

XX

 

[Mel32]

Thanks, you must have done really well to persevere with supply issues.

I was really fortunate with no supply issues, just latch issues and refusal of one side which caused pain\stress! But he got it eventually nthankfully.

Actually wondering if ill even truly dry up before i give birth!

Yeah im sure bottles are very simple ive just never known the routine\ methods of storing and sterilising.

 

[Emily0505]

I can't pump milk either, my body just won't give it up for a pump! Lol! I can hand express around 5ml but that's about as good as it gets. It's pitiful really! Obviously she's able to get out more than that as I hear her swallowing. I love bf her so will keep nursing her while she's happy to do it but I know our bf days are numbered.

Anyhoo, enough about my malfunctioning mammaries!

If you had latch issues then next time you'll know what feels right and what doesn't. I felt more confident with latching her and getting it checked when it didn't feel right. Granted I still ended up with shredded nipples but then they needed to toughen up as they'd not had a baby on them for over four years!

Sterilising wise, we have an electric one. We was the bottles in hot soapy water, rinse, pop them in the sterilised and leave them in there once they're done. They're good for 24 hours but I wouldn't leave them any longer. I also do a bit of cold water sterilising too as I have a couple of small pots I express into and syringes to give it to her and can't always fit it in the steriliser. I use Milton Fluid in cold water and after washing and rinsing literally chuck the stuff in the bowl and leave it there until I need it. It's ready for use after 15 mins and solution needs refreshing every 24 hours. There is also the option of microwave sterilizers but I've not used them so can't advise but I'd imagine it's straightforward enough.

XX

 

[Rose83]

Hey Mel, I found breastfeeding my second much easier than my first. I ended up exclusively express breast feeding my first for 8 months due to extreme thrush problems. So my second who had no trouble latching and fed like a demon was so easy. He had terrible reflux though so I spent 6 months covered in vomit as nothing worked to stop it (turned out it was due to a lip tie no one had noticed.)

Both times I've got pregnant my milk has instantly dried up so both my children have gone on to bottles of formula from 9 months. There isn't anything very complicated about it, it's just a pain when you can't just whip out a boob! I've had a steam steriliser for most of the time but when travelling had a microwave one. Microwave one you can fit a couple of bottles in, throw in a set amount of water and switch it on for however long it instructs. Main thing you need to be careful of is not burning yourself when you take it out the microwave! I hate the smell of formula so that's the worst thing for me! The perfect prep machine by tommee tippee is definitely worth getting (when on offer somewhere) if you had to fully formula feed because it takes all the 'is it hot enough/too hot' debate out of the job!

Pumps: tommee tippee pump was ok for me but when I had to switch to totally expressing for my daughter I just needed something that could do both sides at the same time and faster so I invested in the super expensive Medela freestyle pump (wireless). But all the medela pumps are very good, you wouldnt need to have the top of the range one. The medela calma teat is really good for going between breast and bottle and keeps them using the same sucking motion x

 

[Mel32]

Thanks rose!! That's really good to know what brands to look at

I'm hoping to exclusively breastfeed but terry and have baby willing to take a bottle in case of emergencies which I think is probably sensible with having 2 kids!

I should have done it 1st time round so it wouldn't be as distressing for baby if anything happened to me although that's a bit morbid!!

 

[Wednesday]

I've been thinking the same. I breastfed my first for 19 months with no issues at all. Really hope I'll be that lucky again!

 

[CARNAT22]

I didn't breastfeed my first (expressed for 8 weeks) but I'm still feeding my second, who is 2y5m.

And I'm 9 weeks with number 3. Assuming I'll be OK to BF again (provided I've weaned the boob monster of a toddler of course lol)

X

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[Mel32]

Wow 2 years 5 months! So no plans to tandem feed then?

Is feeding not painful for you now being pregnant? It became extremely painful for me which is why i stopped feeding my 15 month old last week

 

[kumber]

I fed my first for 8 weeks and second for 10 months. I found my supply was better with #2! Hoping to ebf this wee one for as long as possible

 

[CARNAT22]

God I hope I wont be tandem feeding! Bee will be 3 when new baby arrives

No pain at all, not even "normal" pregnancy boob pain so I have just carried on. I am not feeding much now but still seem to have supply enough to satisfy a toddler.

x

 

[Mel32]

thats fortunate! i didn't have boob pain like in 1st pregnancy it was just nipple pain for the initial latch it wasn't for long each feed but extremely sore!!