Could BF 2nd time around but not first

[georgiesmum]

Hi all,

Wanted to know if anyone was unable to breastfeed with their first baby but could with their second? How did you do things differently so it worked etc??

[the_queen]

Hi georgiesmum :wave:

My situation is a bit different, my eldest had a birth defect which made breastfeeding challenging, and she went onto formula at around 4 months.

But my boy is 19 months and still breastfed, has at least 6 feeds over 24 hours, I am definitely a committed breastfeeder/lactivist :D but when I was pregnant, I was very worried, very very anxious that there would be problems and I would "fail" again :crying: The key is, educate yourself, join the ABA, and think positively :thumbsup: have some real-life friends who are committed breastfeeders, who you can call on in those early weeks when problems can be overwhelming. have the number for the ABA helpline on speed-dial, and have numbers of local lactation consultants available easily. I personally would not have any bottles or formula in the house, and did not ever even entertain the thought of putting him on formula. It wasn't an option for me, I didn't even consider it as an option ever. I told myself that any problems I had could be overcome, and I did have cracked nipples and mastitis, but because I had people I could call, I got some great advice and comforting words of support. It is vitally important that your partner supports you completely, and your mum/sister (whoever will be around you a lot). And remember - the first 6-12 weeks of breastfeeding can seem endless, they can be overwhelming and stressful, but once it all falls into place (which happened for me at about 3 weeks old) it becomes like second-nature, and you'll be so glad you perservered.

:hugs: :hugs:

[♥Heaven Sent♥]

With dd i only bf her until she was around 4 months,it was the most stressful/frustrating time as she would not feed properly as she had really bad colic/reflux.I put her onto formula at 4 months because i had a major opperation and my milk started drying up.If i had of known then what i know now i probably would of managed to bf her longer but unfortunately it just didn't work out.

With ds i had such a calm child,we had a few problems to begin with(latching wise) but everything went ok and now at 17 months old we are still bf.He loves him boobie and is going through a stage at the moment of having it every 30 mins(getting very frustrated LOL because i don't have any 'me' time).

Like Qeen said educate yourself alot and get all the support you can from your family,my mum supported me alot even helped me to latch Sasha when i was too pooped and frustrated.

Whenever i had a question,i asked here and also kellymom was a good site to look at.Also ABA is a great site :thumbsup:

Good luck :hugs:

[MerelyExisting]

I only bf my 1st for about 3 weeks exclusively. There were just so many problems. He wouldn't attach properly, when he finally did he would just fall asleep. He was losing a lot of weight and his jaundice was getting worse to the point that he ended up having to go back to the hospital. I tried to combine breast and bottle for a while but it just wasn't a happening thing. I ended up just giving up brestfeeding all together.. much to my dissapointment!

With my second there have been no problems bf at all. He attached properly from the very begining.. has been gaining more than enough weight... everything is going perfectly!

I've always thought it was a bit strange that one just wouldn't take to being breastfed while the other absolutely thrives on it.

[Milis]

With DS1 i stopped bf at about 6 weeks. We had so many problems with attachment, inverted nipples, jaundice, mastitis, breast refusal... to name just a few. I was told that there was a good chance I wouldn't be able to bf again due to complications from mastitis, so I was a bit apprehensive about trying again.

With DS2 it just worked. I think being able to feed him straight after delivery helped but he just latched on like a pro and we've had no problems at all. Different baby, different situation I guess :cool:.