If you nursed 2 or more children, would you read this?

Question

Background Info-
I nursed my first daughter until she was 18 months when she decided she didn't want "noonies" anymore, she is now 27 months old. I am expecting baby girl #2 in two weeks. When she gets here it will be about 10 months since I last nursed.

Questions-
1) Is it as painful the second time around or are your nipples tougher because of the first child? I ask because when my first was about 1 week old all the sudden my nipples got super raw and I went through 2 weeks of hell! Obviously if I lived through it once I will again, but it would sure be nice if I didn't have to!

2) Is it difficult to nurse a newborn while chasing around a toddler? Any tips?

3) Did your first get jealous of the new baby? Not just of the baby, but of the nursing time? Everyone once in a while my daughter will be hugging me or laying on me and look or point at my chest area and say "noonies" so I wonder if she remembers nursing at all- however she was the one who wanted to wean, not me, so it's not like I took them away from her.

*Also, did your second (third, fourth, etc.) nurse longer than the first? I had been prepared to go until she was 2 or longer, but we never made it there. I am only looked for the input of people who know about extended nursing, not those who think it's "sick" or pointless. You have your way, I have mine, let's respect each other! ;)

Answer 1

Kudos to you for nursing as long as you did! I nursed my first son until he no longer had interest - also at 18 months. I was 2 months pregnant with my 2nd son, so my milk production was down anyway and I guess my son just gave up. Nursing the second time around was definitely easier, but this probably varies from person to person. Maybe I just lucked out!

About the sibling rivalry: My first son didn't get jealous of the nursing, just that I couldn't be at his beck and call to play trains, color, etc. But that only lasted a few weeks. It helps to make the older child feel like they are helping you. Ask them to get the baby's pacifier, blanket or something else to show them how helpful they are, and make sure to give them lots of lovin' when the baby is napping. You'd be surprised how far some praise and hugs can go! Tell your older child how much the baby loves her and that she is the best big sister ever - my older son was so proud of himself everytime he "helped" me and it was just too cute. I'm not saying that it was always easy, but once you get the hang of managing the toddler and your newborn, you will find yourself in love X2!! Good luck and best wishes for a smooth and speedy birth :-)

Answer 2

Nursing for 18 mnths. That's awesome! I had a hard time nursing past 3 months with all of mine, but I had to go back to work with the first two. It did seem to get better after each one, though. About nursing while chasing a toddler? Well, my daughter was almost 26 months when I had my son. She didn't seem to get TOO jealous. It wasn't that difficult bfing with her around(she didn't get into too much). The funniest thing was when I caught her with her dress up and she was holding a doll to her chest! It was sooo cute! NOW! Here's the big shocker. I had twin girls 4 mnths ago after my daughter turned 4 and 2wks after my son turned two! Breastfeeding them was CRAZY, but I wouldn't trade it for the world! You just have to try different ways to make it work. My son DOES get into stuff, all the time, so it's hard. I said I would never do this, but sometimes I sit my two oldest in front of DVD player for a little while so I can get some stuff done, especially since my twins are now demanding a little more attention. When they are asleep, mommy tries to spend time with big bro & sis. When daddy gets home, mommy is totally wiped out!!! Whew! Good luck, girl. I LOVE my twins, but aren't you glad you're not in my shoes? if I can do it, you definately can!

Answer 3

I nursed all three of my children for 2 years each, mine were 4 and then 3 years apart, Its a little easier the second time around. You will get more sleep if you nurse, and there is not much difference in the time it takes to breastfeed over the bottle. There will be moments of that your first will want you, but for the most part they adjust well.

Answer 4

Hi, I have some recent experience with this! My kids are exactly 19 months apart, so chasing my 19-month old around when my younger child was born was very difficult. But the good news is that newborns sleep practically all day, and this gives your older child time to adjust while also giving you time to focus on your older child so that she won't feel left out. My daughter was too young to understand how to be quiet while the baby was sleeping for any length of time, and she was also too young to "help" much (by getting me a diaper or a blanket or whatever). But now at 33 months old, she has become an expert at quiet time while her little brother is sleeping and at quickly grabbing something for me and bringing it to me when I'm trapped under my 14-month old son (who insists on sleeping on me all the time!) So at your daughter's age, I would think that she shouldn't have too hard of a time of it. Just keep her involved and give her something special and quiet to do while the baby is sleeping. Here's a recent invention of mine: The Suitcase. I bought a little suitcase with Pooh Bear on it, and I put quiet things in there, like coloring books, crayons, stickers, paper, a few 15-piece puzzles, and some fruit snacks. My daughter only gets to open it while her little brother is sleeping. This makes it special and makes her want to be quiet so that she doesn't wake him up and have to put everything away. Every few days or so I'll put something new in there, maybe a small piece of candy or a My Little Pony toy from McDonald's (she LOVES those!). She can work the zipper on her own, but her little brother can't open it. It has been a lifesaver so that she doesn't sit in front of the TV like a zombie while her brother is sleeping.

As for nursing, my daughter weaned herself from me at 11 months old, exactly a week after I conceived my second child. I was devastated as I really wanted to make it to the one-year mark, and I tried everything I could imagine, including involving LLL to help me figure out why she wouldn't nurse. I was planning on tandem nursing, but it just wasn't meant to be for me, I guess. My son is still nursing at 14 months with no signs of stopping. I hope to make it to his second birthday at least and then allow him to self-wean. So my second child nursed longer than my first, but only because of my circumstances.

As for pain, I never had any pain with either of my children except for the engorgement when the milk came in and mastitis with my second child. I never had nipple problems with either one, and while I hear that a lot of women have trouble in the beginning, I suspect it has to do with latching issues. But don't expect to remember everything. When my son was born, I felt like a first-time parent all over again. It had only been 8 months since I nursed my daughter (he was early), but I didn't have a clue what I was doing. Fortunately, he was a natural and I didn't have to know much. I also had the help of some great lactation consultants in the hospital and LLL. You really should not be feeling pain when you are breastfeeding, and if you do, then you should get some help to find out why.

I'm so glad to hear from another mommy who believes in giving her children the best possible start to their lives. Congratulations on breastfeeding your first for 18 months and on your new arrival. I'm sure you'll do great. Good luck!

Answer 5

Hello, I have four children ranging 7,5,2, and 2 months I have nursed them all. I have always experienced some discomfort but for some reason for me it always seemed easier. I chased them all around and you know when you nurse your more relaxed and it seems to play I think anyways a roll in the way your other one will act.