BFing: as easy/easier with subsequent children? Or not necessarily?

[Fujiko]

Are problems breastfeeding the second time around (if the first time around was flawless) just as common as in first-time nursers?

Despite my c-section with DD, I had no problems whatsoever breastfeeding her. Not even a clogged duct. I quickly learned how to get her to latch correctly, and her latch was perfect. She is still bfing (even though my milk has pretty much dried up).

I'm pregnant again and due in Feb. Am I safe to assume that I have an advantage, since I have experience, or is every baby and breastfeeding relationship different? Has anyone had problems after previously having a successful bfing child? What should I expect?

[mamadelbosque]

DS2 has definetly been easier than DS1, but that was entirely his doing. I never had any problems bfing, but DS1 had serious issues getting latched on for the first month or so - he was just a really sleepy lazy guy (despite a totally natural birth), and it took him a while to figure out. DS2 has been a great nurser from day one - he latched on within the first 20-30 minutes of being born and I've even been able to side-ly nurse him since that very first night (which took a good month or two to accomplish with DS1). its been GREAT!!

[pumpkinhead]

There are two cast members in every breastfeeding relationship and I think there is an advantage the second time around in that one of them (you) is experienced in terms of breastfeeding. You know what to do. You know the problems to look for and where to look to fix them if and when they occur. You have an idea of what to expect.

The inexperienced cast member is the baby and that's where the potential problems may lie. Every baby is different and can bring with them unique challenges that you have not experienced before. Being an experienced mother helps as well. You don't tend to be as nervous. You've been through it before and you aren't sort of fumbling your way along in the dark.

For me, nursing my second was easier than my first in the beginning. I didn't have a lot of trouble with my first, but the second time I knew more or less what to expect. I still had some nipple soreness and he still wanted to nurse every 15 seconds in the beginning, but this time I knew all of that could be normal and just went with it (using lots of Lansinoh ), knowing it wasn't going to last forever. I didn't have as much anxiety and I knew I could do it without any bottles or formula.

[columbusmomma]

my 2nd was easier then my first.

[mommajb]

I would say that you are much more likely to know what to expect and can build on previous success. On the other hand you new baby has never breastfed before and will need to get up to speed. It is a new relationship and may have its bumps. Use your past success as a confidence booster but don't let the 'getting to know you phase' with a new baby upset you if it doesn't go just like before.

I had great success the first time, no real probelms the 2nd time despite a nicu stay for dd1. By the time dd2 had a painful latch we were far beyond the newborn stage and able to trace it back to the introduction of sippy cups with a valve.

I think you have a great advantage but should not assume there will be no issues. HTH

[Xerxella]

My 2nd was harder, actually, but still not a problem. My 1st seemed to know what to do from the beginning despite a 10 day NICU stay. It seemed like my 2nd's mouth was too small. I know that sounds wierd, but she never did seem to get a good latch. Well, it's no big deal, she's growing and developing great and now at about 4 months it seems like her mouth has grown and she nurses way better. Now if we can just get through the suck-a-little-look-a-little-stage we'll be great....

So, in other words, like PP said every nurser is different, but problems will be less of a problem 'cuz you'll know what to do.

[GoodMomma]

I hope it's easier with each kid. I had a horrible time with pain in the beginning with my daughter. So hopefully the next time it won't be like that....oh it was awful! Anyway, congrats and good luck!

[Mom2SammyJoe]

I think nursing my secon has been easier because I have more confidence in my body. I knew I could make milk. I knew we could figure it out. (Not being in the hospital helped, too)

[KangaTwo]

2 and 3 were definitely easier. With 1, I had to work on drawing out flat nipples, which meant nursing was pretty painful for a while. No problems with 2, other than preemie sleepiness. They also tandem nursed. With 3 I had to work out flat nipples a little again, but it wasn't so much of an issue as it was with 1.

[zensven42]

With me, it was very difficult with my 3rd child. It took me days before he latched on properly. He would try again and again, but couldn't keep the nipple in his mouth and make the correct action to keep it there. Very frustrating. After a couple weeks though, he really had it down, and then it was easier than the others because I had done it before. My 1st 2 children latched on so easily, that I was surprised when my 3rd had such trouble.

[LindsC]

I found it much easier the 2nd time, but I think it has to do with DD just being a totally different nurser than DS was and I was also more confident this time.

[georgiegirl1974]

nursing #1 was easy, and so far nursing #2 (11 weeks) is also easy. The main difference is that I'm more confident and relaxed. I bet things will be easy this time around for you too.

[LaLaLaLa]

I had trouble getting things figured out with DD, and eventually ended up exclusively pumping. With DS, I was much calmer. When he didn't latch on immediately, I didn't get all stressed out like I had with DD; I knew that if I took a minute to cuddle him and settle him down, we could try again and we'd figure it out.

So, yes, for me the second was much easier than the first, despite the fact that my second was a c-section rather than a vaginal birth.

[LemonPie]

Of my 3, #2--my one NCB-- was the most difficult to breastfeed. We went into lactation every day for 2 weeks, finger-fed, pumped, had readmission for jaundice which turned into physiologic jaundice, etc etc etc. It took a good 3-4 weeks to get her feeding completely at the breast. Honestly, if I hadn't already successfully breastfed a child, I probably would have given up and FFed her. I nursed her to age 2 and struggled with her the whole time, though not to such a degree. She was a kneader/pincher, she nursed funny so I would have pain/creasing with prolonged sessions, etc.

#3 was an emergency c-section and my easiest to BF