feeding 2nd baby?

Question

im thinking about breast feeding my second. my son will be 3 when its born and im worried bout not having enough time for him and my husband will want to bond with baby by feeding it. how easy is it to express the milk. did you breast or bottle feed your second and how was it

Answer 1

It is very easy to express and I did this with my first so my BF could 'bond' by feeding him too.

Preggo with #2 but planning on breastfeeding and expressing aswell.

Answer 2

I breast fed both my daughters. They were 14 months apart in age.
Pumping milk is quite easy once you get the hang of it. I recommend that you buy the right kind of baby bottles though for breastfeeding babies. Buy the ones with the wide nipples instead of the slender shape. If you buy the slender shape then the baby will realize that it can get more milk from the bottle and might refuse breastfeeding.
Some babies have no problems with both bottle and breast feeding. Others will only breastfeed and refuse the bottle and others will prefer the bottle and refuse the breast.
You will have to see how it works out for you. But, if Dad wants to bottle feed and bond then I would definitely try pumping and letting him have a go at feeding the baby.
Good luck!

Answer 3

I breast fed my 2nd for longer than my first (I worked at 5mth with first) and my daughter never missed out and hubby was fine with it as he can still do bathing, playing and other things that help to bond with the baby. Bottle feeding isn't the only way to bond with a child. Actually showing affection and interacting is probably the best 'bonding' you can do with a baby.
I would get my daughter to pick some books and I would read to her while feeding my son (this worked double as it seemed to calm him too). Or she would get a colouring in book or toys and play next to us while I fed. I could actually give her a lot of attention this way because when bub is feeding yo aren't really doing anything else so I could talk with her.
Another hint I got off another mum is when you have your 2nd baby, pack a little lunch box for your first in the morning and put it in the fridge on a shelf the older child can reach. Then when you have your hands full of baby (feeding, changing) and they are hungry or thirsty they can go to the fridge and get it themselves and they know exactly where to go and what to get. They like helping to pick what to put in it and feel important. Its a godsend especially in the first few weeks when you are tired and still trying to adjust.

Oh and I did try pumping with my first, but found it really hard with a manual pump and time consuming and it hurt and was more of a pain in the butt than anything else. Maybe an electric pump would be better. I also found my milk supply just wasn't the same when I tried to pump.

Good luck and congrats.

Answer 4

Its very natural to have these feelings, you are used to your life with your small family and this new baby you know is going to take up a lot of your time. However, this is half the battle because you know that you have to make time for both your husband and son. Feeding ur new baby will help you bond, expressing is different for all woman for me it was a breeze for other woman impossible almost.

Answer 5

I breast fed AND pumped bottles for my 3rd. I had twins and then had my third 16 months later. If you can get the baby used to the breast AND bottle early, they get used to it and won't reject the bottle when your husband wants to help by feeding. But you have to do it from the start or the baby will become used to the breast and wont want to take a bottle :)

Answer 6

I nursed my first child for 8 months and did not nurse my second. I really needed my freedom and help. Having a toddler and an infant is difficult enough. I didn't really have that great "bonding experience" while nursing with my first. I don't regret not breastfeeding my second. I don't think I missed out on anything and both of my children are healthy and happy!

Answer 7

I did but only for 4 weeks as it was difficult juggling feeding with nursery drop offs/pick ups. Expressing does make things easier and also the older child feels important if they can help.

Answer 8

I had my daughter when my son was 3 years, I have breast fed her and its been ok. Men dont need to feed babies to bond with them, they can just hold them, or bathe them, sing to them, talk to them etc
I havent been able to express 2nd time or this time, not sure why - it just doesnt feel natural to me, although i did it with my first.

Answer 9

they now have electric breast pumps which are alot easier than a hand pump expresser...probably more expensive though ... i breast fed and bottle fed my children with no problems ...(lucky really) do what you feel is best for you when the baby arrives ...good luck x

Answer 10

i exclusively breastfeed my 2nd. and have been for 3 1/2months now. there's a 14month gap between mine, and its sometimes very diffucult feeding baby, but i make sure i have something for the toddler to do at the side of me (book, pretend phone, stacking cups.... ) so i can entertain both at the same time.