Breastfeeding newborn...toddler to look after!

[Snuggle]

Just wondering how difficult it is to breastfeed when you have a 2 year old to look after too? I'm intending to try breastfeed this baby and when I told my MIL this she said it would be too hard as I have Maddison to look after too Anyone managed to breastfeed whilst running around after a toddler also?

 

[lisa282]

My son is a bit older at 3 years old but nevertheless he is VERY active and demanding of my time, but I am still breastfeeding my daughter It is hard, dont get me wrong, but it would be just as hard if bottle feeding IMHO, baby still needs feeding however you do it I just try to do some static activities with my son if I need to feed at the same time, such as a jigsaw or colouring pictures, so we can sit down together and he doesnt feel left out

 

[Sherlock]

I know a fair few women who have done so. The general opinion from them was that with the second baby they were far more relaxed about things that with thier first and that helped. Not having all the first time Mum worries to think about, they just got on with things.

Most didn't BF till 6 months plus, it varied from 6 weeks to 4 months iirc. The biggest downside seemed to be that they were not able to sit and spend time just cuddling and feeding the new baby as they had their first. They felt more rushed when the other child was around.

Maybe using a sling or some such in the early days would be a good way to make sure your new baby is close to you and can be fed easily wherever without much fuss.

 

[beanie]

I did it (and still am). Like lisa said it would be the same with bottle feeding, the only thing is thast with booby feeding you have one arm free and can do things with your toddler, like read a book or colour in with them. It is difficult but not impossible.

I include Seren. She likes to cuddle in with me, or she has her dolly to feed too. My best tip is to do sing song time when feeding, letting the toddler choose the songs. Seren has accepted that Cally has booby to feed and that mummy will be able to do stuff when Cally is finished. She has thrown a few tantrums but TBH I think to find a toddler who hasn't thrown a tantrum because mummy is tending to the baby would be very difficult, no matter what form of feeding you do.

If Cally cries, Seren tells me to put her on booby I actually think breastfeeding and being able to snuggle with Seren has made us a lot closer.

 

[Tasha20]

I plan to breastfeed again, and dont see there being a problem.

There are lost of ways to tackle small problems (which they will be) I agree totaly with how beanie has done it, involve them in that special time.

Beanies right though, wether bfing or bottlefeeding, you still tneding to your baby and there will be tantrums with either, breastfeeding doesnt make you anymore less mobile than bottle feeding, infact breastfeeding would be easier as you can pop the baby in a sling with your booby hanging out and your off on your merry way!

You will have plenty of support hun

 

[Xena]

Lydia was 22 months when Alex was born, and I didn't find her to be a problem at all when I was breastfeeding Alex.

In fact, 15 months later and I'm STILL breastfeeding Alex lol

 

[Sammystar]

sling sling sling! It was a Godsend for me!

You'll do fine hun

 

[Mrs_Jay]

Just wondering how difficult it is to breastfeed when you have a 2 year old to look after too? I'm intending to try breastfeed this baby and when I told my MIL this she said it would be too hard as I have Maddison to look after too Anyone managed to breastfeed whilst running around after a toddler also?

im managing But it is really hard because sometimes i feel like Jack is being ignored But it defently can be done, so if i can do it im sure you can too hun

 

[Snuggle]

Thanks everyone, just didnt want to be setting myself up for an impossible task but will definitely be giving it my best shot

 

[Redshoes]

It depends on the older sibling I think, Isaac's adjusted well, he's still his active, happy self but when I am breastfeeding he becomes inspector and has a good look at whats going on, then chats to me about it, can't understand a word then he'll play until I've finished usually, or try to climb me, fun fun fun haha or read or draw or play with the dog, he's quite independant when he chooses to be.. although then when I wind Ophelia he does get a bit worried to see her being sick I don't find BF'ing whilst having Isaac around a problem at all, except when she's having a growth spurt, then I just feel kind of stuck but do make up cuddles with him when she takes a 5min break off the boob I'd suggest starting to get LO involved with books and reading, or drawing etc something where they can be still, so when you're not rolling around on the floor with them they are happy enough to have some time to themselves whilst you BF. Very best wishes with it

 

[Lynsey]

I'm doing it to although it is hard. I make sure Jacob gets a book he wants to read and then he sits next to me while I am feeding Nathaniel. Jacob also goes and gets my feeding cushion so he feels like he is helping me.

The only downside is that Jacob does get jealous sometimes when I am feeding and tries to pull Nathaniel off my boob (which really hurts) and whacks him around the head God help me when Nathaniel is having a growth spurt and I will be feeding more - ahhrr! I think you just have to get organised and have things to entertain the toddler next to you before you sit down to feed.

 

[andreag]

I'm intending to try breastfeed this baby and when I told my MIL this she said it would be too hard as I have Maddison to look after too

Just the kind of support you need! I am planning to b/f and will have an 18 month old. I have started to "train" her (sounds horrible but it isn't!) by spending time sitting down in the same room but not giving her my complete attention, and she is good at playing indepentantly. The baby is also getting her a doll when he comes, so she will have her own LO to look after. We will also go to all the playgroups she goes to now, where I know she will happy playing and I can b/f as well. Everyone seems to think B/f is easier second time around, so I guess that will compensate a bit. I know it won't be a walk in the park, but I'm sure we will get into our own routine.

 

[kellysomer]

IMO it is easier to BF a 2nd child as you have a hand free, i used to read to isla or play with her while feeding. The only thing i did do was put a tiny bathroom style lock ont he inside of the lounge door so i knew she was confined in the lounge with me when i was feeding and not emptying the cutlery and kitchen drawers! Kept her where i could see her easily!

 

[Snuggle]

Thank you so much girls I think the idea of baby getting Maddison a doll is great idea actually, think I will steal this Maddison is great at playing by herself or with the dog so I'm hoping she will carry on like this when baby comes. I'm going to introduce her to lots of fun activities over the next few months so she will have plenty to keep her occupied while I feed. She is a very cuddly child and I dont want her to feel pushed out so will also try to involve her in the feeding, maybe give her a snack and milk and she can cuddle up to me while she has it while I feed baby. I dont know how it will all work but I'm determined to try

 

[LittleLambe]

Snuggle, I'm so glad you asked this. I have been thinking exactly the same thing. I BF Scarlett and loved it, but she used to feed for hours on end & i'm worried that LO will be the same. My mum is getting me a sling for christmas, so I can at least get up and move about if I need to. I have also been thinking about it while out christmas shopping for Scarlett!!! loads of puzzles, books, fuzzyfelt!
I'm hoping second time around it will be easier, as you don't have those first few weeks of getting used to it (or do you??)

 

[Snuggle]

I didnt breastfeed Maddison so will be new to me if I succeed with this one

 

[LittleLambe]

My local hospital had an amazing breastfeeding clinic, and I found them really helpful. Will your OH be able to get time off when you have LO?? (is he in the RAF?) how much time will he get? I managed to build up a bit of confidence before DH when back to work. He can also help with Maddison, so you can concentrate on feeding.

 

[Snuggle]

Hubby is hoping to get a month off work this time so that we can get quite settled with baby before he has to go back and he can help out loads