I am five months pregnant, I also have a 13 month old. I nursed my son for 11 months. When I was pregnant with him my breast did not increase in size at all until after a couple of days of having him when my milk came in and they doubled. Recently I have noticed that my breast feel full/sorta heavy, after my son was weaned they were back to my regular small size. I was wondering if this could be cause I nurse one baby already, and my body is preparing early? While I am on the subject, does nursing hurt as bad the second time as it did the first. (I remember a gust of wind hurting) And how will I be able to nurse a newborn when I have an 18 month old? I remember my son nursing for like an hour every 1 1/2 hours.
Thanks everyone who responded, I did see a lactation consultant with my son, and she taught me how to latch him on, correct positions etc. I do think the horrible pain had to do with my nipples needing to toughen up, not improper nursing. I was told to nurse my son on demand and I swear that child was like permanently attached to me those first few months. I am buying nursing shirts this time around, which I never had before, thinking maybe that will make it easier to nurse while keeping up with my son. (especially in public)
My baby was five months old when I fell pregnant with the next one. I was breast feeding at the time but my doctor said I should stop because the unborn baby would need all the nutrients it could get and I could end up exhausted trying to cope with both.
So I slowly weaned my baby on a bottle (fortunately he enjoyed his bottle) and the next one was fed for over 2 years!
Try to train him to nurse every 3 hours. I hate to say this - but with my second (my mom had the same experience) nursing hurt worse than with the first. But, with my 3rd, it didn't hurt as much. I don't know if it had to do with my first 2 being closer in age than my last? But, it only hurt for a few days. I think I nursed my 1st one too much - thinking she was hungry when she wasn't. Most, again - not all - but most, nurse every 3 hours.
I know everyone's body is different my breast were bigger and FULL of milk with first. I remember I was like a faucet. With my second, 41/2 years after my first, my breast weren't as big, but I still had a really good milk supply. It was interesting to see the difference in my body with both pregnancies, both so different. Also for me nursery did not hurt at all the second time. Except when she started to bite lol. The first time PAINFUL for the first few weeks and I thought since it had been sometime the second would hurt but it didn't not even in the begining. I hope it all works out for you and you move into your new home soon!
My first child was newly weened (he chose to quit just shy of his 2nd birthday) when I got pregnant with my second. I was concerned about his reaction to my nursing the new baby. The first time he saw me nursing he stopped, looked, then ran from the room. I sat thinking of all the responses I could give him once the baby was finished but before he was finished the older child ran into the room carrying his dolly, he lifted his shirt and we nursed our "babies" together.
It all works out, just relax.
Everyone is different. Please report any hurting to your breastfeeding-friendly doctor or to a local lactation consultant.
For mothers-helping-mothers support, check out La Leche League (http://www.llli.org/) and, possibly, a local group.
For me it was totally different. My milk came in the very next day after delivery and I was totally engorged because my son wasn't ready to nurse enough to get that milk out! It was more stressful because of that...and it only hurt more because I was so engorged and had to get that milk out and had to use a 'mechanical' pump...I didn't use one the first time around and was so terrified I wouldn't be able to turn it down fast enough and the machine would suck my nipple off! So for me the 2nd time around getting started was a lot more difficult. Once my son got the hang of it, around the 4th day then it was fine...but given that is 4 days with engorged super boobs! Somehow it works with nursing them and having the other one. My daughter was 2 and 4 months so you just have to find something to keep them occupied while you nurse since yep, the next one will probably nurse the same schedule...every 2 hours or so. Maybe try a wrap (I used the sleepy wrap) that way you could nurse and still be a little mobile.
I found when pregnant with my first that my breasts did not grow at all until my milk came in, either. I nursed him until almost 2, when I was about 6 months pregnant with my second. They seemed to then get fuller with pregnancy, then even bigger while nursing! I'm guessing that the body already knows how to prepare, like you said. BTW, I am pregnant for a third time and still nursing #2. I PRAY that my breasts don't get any bigger this time!!! But we'll see!
I found that I was still sore in those first couple of days when #2 was born, but for me it was not as bad as with #1. Right now (nursing while pregnant) is actually much more painful than with a newborn....But it could be different for everyone. I was only sore a few days with each.
My son self-weaned and was nearly two, so when his sister came, he was totally cool. He would just say, "The baby nurse your breast?" to me, I guess just to confirm what he thought. I would read to him while nursing, and I'll admit that this is when I found Noggin to be my friend. Yes, while we got used to the change in our family, my son watched his share of Noggin, but mostly just played. He still gets a little impatient when I can't immediately get up to get him some water (or something) if I'm nursing, but he's over it now. And my son always nursed at least 30-45 minutes, while my daughter is much more efficient, and even as a newborn often only nursed for 15 minutes total. Each baby is different. Like a pp said, don't worry about that until the time comes to worry!!!
Good luck!
I just had my second son 2 months ago, so I am going through this now. The second time around, your body is familiar with how it is to prepare for delivery and a baby, so it is very possible that you are getting ready for nursing when you deliver. . As to does it hurt as bad. For me it did, but there is 2 years between my sons. I did notice that I "toughened" up a little faster than the first time. I also knew this time to use the Lansinoh cream from the start and that might have helped as well.
Nursing while having another is a little tricky, since my newborn was delivered a month early I had to nurse him every 2 hours for at least 20 minutes total to keep his weight up per doctor's orders. He is now going every 2 to 3 hours, but still only nurses for maybe 20 - 30 minutes total. My first nursed every 3 hours for an hour almost. He still is a slow eater. Every child is different. Nursing with a 2 year old has been a little bit of a challenge, but I have discovered as long as he has my attention too, then it works better. What I have discovered works most of the time is I will sit on the couch or on the bed and prop a pillow up for the newborn. My 2 year old then gets to sit in "his" spot in front of me (on my lap too since my legs are extended or between my knees) and lean agains the pillow. We then watch one of his favorite shows together.My older son also is very helpful while I feed my younger by holding the burp rag, getting my pillow... He loves being helpful and feels involved in feeding "his" baby. So for having a son in the "terrible" twos" nursing isn't that bad even on the days we have a terrible two day.
I also made a point that at bedtime, my husband will take the newborn and it is mommy time with my two year old for a nightly story and even if my newborn is crying, I let my husband handle it until the storytime is done. That has really helped as well, my 2 year old knows that that time is his alone.
I was SO in your shoes some years back (11 to be exact). My children are 17 months apart and three things I can share:
1. Nursing (for me) was a breeze with the 2nd baby...no pain.
2. I used to sit with my 17 mo. old when it was "feeding time" for baby with books, music, etc. I kept a sippie cup on hand for my older one (sometimes a snack - depending on time of day)during this time of breastfeeding the baby. In other words, we ALL sat down for the break.
3. As time went on while still breastfeeding the new baby, I did have occasion for the need to "feed and chase"...meaning chasing the toddler around while still having baby latched on.
It all works out, and you'll find your own pace. Kudos to you on your choice to breastfeed, and congratulations on the new addition to the family!
Hi-
Nursing with a toddler is a little bit more challenging, but you'll figure out how to make it work. My two oldest are 23 months apart and when I would nurse my daughter I would do a variety of things with my son. He could do puzzles or look at books on the floor next to my chair. We would sing songs together or practice counting or doing the alphabet. Sometimes he just sat next to me in our big rocking chair and snuggled with me while I nursed his sister. I found it important to not just tell my son "you go play while mommy feeds the baby" because I didn't want him to feel like I was ignoring him to spend time with the baby. This way I was doing something with him at the sametime.
As far as it hurting, I don't recall ever having any pain with nursing with any of my 3. For the first week or so after delivery there was the usual cramping and that actually seems to get worse with each pregnancy. Once that is over I didn't have any discomfort with nursing.
Maybe some other moms will have experience with the pain you described but if not I would suggest talking to a lactation consultant this time around. First of all I don't think it should hurt when you nurse and to nurse for an hour every 1 1/2 hours seems really extreme. In the beginning mine would nurse for 30 minutes or so every 2 to 2 1/2 hours and then as they got more efficient at it it would be only 15 -20 minutes every 3-4 hours or so.
Good Luck,
K.
Let me start off with saying that each baby is different in how they feed. My first baby was and still is a slow eater and he used to feed for an hour every 1 1/2-2 hours. My second only took thirty minutes. He guzzled his milk and now he inhales his food. My third was in between, but took longer because he would get so comfortable he would fall asleep.
As for pain it really hurt to nurse my first baby, but I also had a yeast infection with him. I still had some pain with my second, but it didn't last as long. My third...I can't remember... so I guess if there was pain it wasn't very much.
I really didn't have much of a problem nursing while I had a toddler running around. I always made sure that he had a full sippy cup and a little snack or I put a baby einstein movie in. They really are a mommy's best friend. I am about to have my fourth baby (its a girl!). Let's see how nursing goes with three toddlers!!! :~)
Congratulations, good luck, and may God Bless you.
It was easier the second time around for me....just remember as each baby is different so is their eatting habits. MY first nursed every hour to 2 for over a year the second well he does not nurse near that much! I had alot of pain the first time and my cousin suggested not to use the lanolin because it slowed down the toughing process and I felt that to be great advice>
M. S,
First pregnancy my breasts did not change in any way until my milk came in, and I also felt incredibly uncomfortable because of the milk, and the pain of babe latching on! Second pregnancy, at seven months I noticed I had to buy a bigger bra! When my milk came in, I didn't notice the pain, unitl I started nursing, and I just pursued it because my second was a natural compared to my first! It took a good week though for it to be less painful!
I was only able to nurse my second for three months, because my first was two and a half years old, and was and still is full of eneryg! For me I had trouble keeping up calorically, and their are options to help you with this!
If you should start having problems with not producing enough milk, try ensure, or snacking more often, or other higher in calorie meal supplements! They are especailly great on the go! I didn't like the taste of ensure, until my friend suggested putting it into the freezer for twenty minutes, it tastes like a milk shake!!!!!!!!!
Good Luck!
I have nursed three babies now (for 21 months, for 17 months, and still nursing my 14-month-old). My breasts changed at different times with each of my pregnancies, so there really isn't a "rule" on what your breasts will do with any given pregnancy. Nursing still hurt some, even with the 2nd and 3rd babies for me, but it only lasted a couple of weeks at the most, and I primarily used Lansinoh to sooth my nipples. As for nursing with a toddler, I liked to read books to my older child while I was nursing, so he didn't feel ignored or left out. And keep in mind, as another poster said, that each baby has a different feeding style. My first baby was more like yours, a slow and frequent nurser, but my 2nd was especially fast and would go longer between feedings, and my 3rd was almost as fast as my 2nd. So don't worry about that part until you need to do so! Good luck!
I have been told that nursing should not be painful, if the baby is latching on properly. If you experience pain this time, you might work with a lactation consultant or a La Leche League leader to address positioning and latch. You might also find helpful information on this website:
