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For my other nursing posts, be sure to check out:
Breastfeeding Essentials / What I Learned in Breastfeeding Class / Nursing Favorites {7 Months Later} / Nursing Update – On Weaning at One / On Stopping Nursing
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I feel like with Brooks I talked about nursing on the blog all.the.time. It was probably because I had a pretty difficult time with it, especially at the beginning. It was seriously rough goings for a while {months!} but I stuck with it and I’m glad I did.
When I was pregnant with Graham, I have to tell you that I was seriously dreading nursing again. Knowing the constant work and effort it takes, having just done it for 14 months. I honestly wasn’t sure I was going to be able to do it again, especially with the amount of pain I was in with Brooks and just the fact that it would be so much harder to do with a toddler running around at the same time!
But from the first latch, this second time around has been all sorts of different. And so much easier – physically and mentally {not so much logistically with Brooks, but you can’t win them all!}
I’m not sure if my body was just more prepared for it, having gone through it not too long ago, but this time has been so much less painful. With Brooks, I was using all purpose nipple ointment constantly, this time I’ve barely used any. With Brooks, I was so mentally drained from doing it all the time, all day, especially in the beginning, but now I just do it without thinking. If Graham is crying, I change him and feed him – that’s it. With Brooks I would carry him around, try to figure out what was wrong, but I feel now I’m more knowledgeable as a second time mom – if the baby’s crying, he’s probably hungry. For the most part, it’s been the right problem solver.
This time has also been different because I haven’t pumped. At All.
With Brooks I was pumping every morning, religiously. Stocking up my freezer stash. I think I was a little crazy about it. With Graham, I haven’t had the time to devote to 20-30 minutes in the morning of pumping and cleaning the equipment and all that jazz. But honestly, I don’t miss it and it really hasn’t caused me or baby to skip a beat.
On the few occasions we’ve had to give Graham a bottle – weddings + a few night’s out – I’ve had the babysitter give him a bottle and it’s been fine. With Brooks I was adamant about not giving him formula, but this time I’ve realized I can’t do everything and as long as my baby is happy + fed, it’s all good.
This time around I’ve also been so much more relaxed about it. It’s been so much better for me and for my boys – but I think that’s been necessary when you have two under two. Life doesn’t always stop to nurse. I’ve learned to nurse on the go – while baby wearing out and about. I’ve been known to be wearing Graham, while shopping + nursing in Target! Now that’s multi-tasking!
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Are you nursing? How’s it going?
Was your nursing experience different with baby #2?
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Don’t forget to enter my Folgers #RemixYourCoffee Giveaway!
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6 Comments
I’m glad it’s easier the second time around! I’m basically doing the same thing. I hate pumping so I’m breastfeeding and giving Allie formula maybe 1-2 times a week when I’m not with her and she needs a bottle. It’s a lot less stressful so mama is happy.
As a FTM I was stuck on breastfeeding only. Then baby was not getting back to her birth weight in the expected time frame and I had the pediatrician and lactation consultants telling me I had to supplement. This was so sad for me and I’ve had guilt. I wish I knew why I had a low supply to begin with and unfortunately, have never gotten my supply to where it needs to be. So now we breastfeed & give a bottle at each feeding. It’s not ideal for me or how I imagined it would go but baby is healthy, happy, and gaining weight!
You are doing an amazing job with raising 2 tiny humans!
I’m almost a month in with baby #2 and have had a similar experience(mercifully positive, especially considering my horrible experience with nursing the first go around). My oldest is 2 and I’m intrigued with nursing while babywearing– would love details!
I need to make myself a tiny humans shirt! That is great.
I am at the 18 month mark nursing baby #1. Never had I ever thought I’d be nursing that long. We are trying for #2 soon, but I am terrified about weaning or nursing while pregnant. Before getting pregnant I never realized how stressful breastfeeding can be. Great job mama!