Breastfeeding Questions

I nursed my second while reading or watching TV with my active 3 yr old. It gave him the attention he wanted when I was tied by the boob to the baby :). I still got that 1 on 1 nursing time in the middle of the night and when my oldest was napping. Don't stress. You will feed your baby the best way you can that will allow you to spend valuable time with your children. Remember, that's what's really important.

It's important to remember that each child is different! Just because he was tongue tied doesn't mean your daughter will be! And, now just look at is as you know what to look for. I'm positive the extreme pain and frustration was from his latch not being right because of the tongue tie! Nursing should NEVER hurt. If it hurts something is wrong!

It will be fine. Just relax and do what comes naturally!

Get in touch with your local La Leche League and start going to meetings now while you are still pregnant. They were a wonderful resource for me (way more knowledgeable than my ped) and were recommended by my ob after I had some issues with my ds. I couldn't have done it without them. It's a great mother to mother resource and the moms there have all sorts of ideas/suggestions. The meetings are free and you do not have to be a member to attend.

The best advice I could give is GO FOR IT! The closeness you will feel with your little one is worth it, even if you are only able to nurse for a little while. I had plenty of milk the first go around, but had a very colicky baby who wanted to nurse all the time (which I later found out was totally normal for a baby with colic) and a very nosey, strongly opinioned grand-mother-in-law who stayed on me constantly that I was starving my son because if my milk was 'strong enough' to satisfy him, he'd a) stop crying, b)sleep longer than an hour at a time, c)be able to go 4 hours between feedings. Needless to say, I gave in and put him on formula, only to have him act THE SAME WAY on the magic elixar! LOL! By the time I figured it out, my supply was gone. So, just go with what you feel is working best, don't listen to nay sayers, and concentrate on your new little one. Every baby is different and you will find that what worked with one won't work for the other. I am the mom to 3, and g'mom of 2 with another on the way (the colicky son and his wife are due with their 1st in Sept...paybacks are sweet! LOL!) I have made it clear to my wonderful daughter-in-law that my advice is free, but she can feel free to toss it at any time. I hope you enjoy the same priviledge with your family! Good Luck on your little girl!
PS> La Leche is a WONDERFUL source for breastfeeding moms....staffed entirely by those of us who have been there, done that, as opposed to nurses or doctors who can only give 'book' advice because they've not.

I had my second son when my oldest was 3(and a CRAZY rambuctious boy) and breastfeeding was actually much easier - no bottles to prepare or sterilize. I would at least try. You will more than likely have a MUCH easier time this go round. I nursed my youngest until about a month ago - he was 14 months old - and it was a lot less time consuming than I first was worried about. I agree with calling a lactation consultant if you are having issues, but wait and see how it goes and what works for you and your family.

I would say to try it. Breast milk is soo much better for your baby. I had so many problems feeding my first but me second was a breeze. He would not take a bottle at all.( Which is strange since his pedi said he had to work harder to nurse from the breast than a bottle.)I think I was just more worried with my first. I also had a great pedi who was so for breastfeeding on the second. I was also older. You can always get help from the LaLech group. There are lactating coaches now that can advise you if you encounter any problems. Try it again on this one then you won't end up wish you had.It is easier since the milk is always right there at the perfect temperature.Good luck .

It will never hurt to try breastfeeding! I suffered some of the same things you did with your 1st and it made nursing more difficult and stressful than other moms made it out to be. I'm currently nursing my 9 month old and have had an easier time. The only thing I've found hard is that she refuses ANY and ALL bottles, so it's not convenient while out and about with my 3 year old (I'm not comfortable nursing in public, but the car works well). But I'm still very glad that I chose to breastfeed her! If your son is anything like mine, he'll want to be right there with you while you're nursing his sister. As crazy as it sounds, there were times where I'd be reading him a story while his sister was nursing away :)

I'd say hang in there and best of luck once your little princess arrives.

I would give it a shot, I struggled with my first, for different reasons than you, but it was still a huge struggle, we made it 4 months. When I had my second it was so easy!! The first time around both mom and baby are learning what to do, the second time mom knows what to do and how to do it, and after my 3rd it really sunk in that every child is different, some are great nursers and some need help. But if you don't try you might regret it later. at least if you try you know in you heart that switching to formula is best for you and your baby, there would be no looking back saying what if???

I say go for it!!! There is be no worries. You breastfeed your son for 3 months, and if he hadn't had the conditions he had. You would've breastfeed for longer with him. :) This will be your 2nd child <assuming> and each child is different. All you can do is try your VERY best, and have the formula you'd like to use as a back-up just in case. Just have your mind set that you can and will breastfeed this baby!! :)

I tried to breastfeed my twins, but had some complications with deliveryand after, and I just couldn't produce as much as I tried, and no matter how much demand I put on them. But my son was born 5 weeks ago at 6lbs 6 ounces and lost 5 ounce in the hospital. He now weights in at 9lbs 5 ounces and is breastfeed only. I was worried I wouldn't produce again, but I told myself I was going to do it and I did. :) Hope this helps some. :)Congrats. on the baby!!

I way think you should nurse! Its tons easier in the middle of the night or during the day than making bottles, warming etc. Also, you could spend time with your son reading etc, because you're not holding a bottle. The breast is WAY more portable too, you don't have to pack formula, bottles, liners,etc and can handle your 3 year old much better without all the other hassle with packing up. Add the cost savings and the incredibly better nutrition and you have the answer. Adelle Davis, a nutritionist, also saw a large coorelation between breast feeding (totally) and SIDS.