Success Bf DC #2.................

[newmommy]

I'd like to hear from women who didn't have success BF your first child, but had succes with your second.......please post if you're out there :D

TIA

[MrsTazlvr]

I was not able to BF DD#1. I am sure it was a combo of her having reflux (although DD#2 does, too), being a new mom, not having the right support, and not making enough milk. I tried for a few days after I left the hospital but DD#1 just SCREAMED at the breast. As time went on, she also screamed at the bottle so in retrospect I don't think it was about the breast, I think it was more about her. Had I known that, I wish I would have tried harder. I had DD#2 six months ago and she is still EBF. It was a little rough in the beginning. She had a good latch but popped on and off A LOT. I worried a little a few weeks ago when it seemed like my supply was dipping and she wasn't gaing enough weight. I took fenugreek, drank dark beer, ate oatmeal, and started pumping every morning. My supply seems fine now and we are on track to EBF until at least a year. I never thought I'd make it a day let alone a year so I am very excited. My friends were making bets on me when I was in the hospital with her that I'd be giving her formula before we even got home. Boy were they suprised. It is totally possible to not BF #1 and BF #2. You know all the mothering things now after having DC#1 so now you can focus on the BF. I have a friend who didn't BF #1. She pumped for a while in the beginning but DS was a preemie and never latched. She is now BF her DD and doing very well. Good luck. :)

[newmommy]

Thanks mrs. Trav, that is so nice to hear!!!!!!!!

[HGMorgann]

This isn't my story, but a friend's.
She FF her first son. It was due to: poor knowledge and support about BF (didn't know she could breastfeed before her milk came in) so she FF in the hospital and then tried to BF once her milk came in. He would latch on but was having lots of spit-up issues after both types of feeding. So after 2 weeks she quit and kept switching formulas until she found one that worked.

Her second, she had support and good resources and succesfully EBF her daughter until she had to go back to work (at McD's which wasnt supportive of her pumping there). Her ped, OB, and the hospital were all VERY supportive and helpful and helped give her the confidence to succeed. I think that is essential for many moms.

Her example is a bit extreme, but having good support and resources REALLY can make the difference.

[linda_loo]

I was a little more successful with #2, but not as much as I had hoped. I gave up quickly with #1, with supply issues... I wish I had offered her comfort nursing more, but I didn't know better. With #2, I was somewhat better prepared, but found the same problems, I was producing about 1/4 to 1/2 ounce in a 40 minute feeding session. I worked harder at supplementing with a SNS and did the nurse-supplement-pump routine for much longer, until giving up pumping and the SNS... just nurse-supplement with bottle. dd refused my breasts at 13 weeks.

If it's a duct tissue problem, I understand that it can be better with subsequent pregnancies.

[hmbay]

DS1 was a preemie and never learned to BF. I did manage to pump and feed EBM for 7 months so maybe I don't count in being "unsucessful" in BFing #1 if you are referring to being able to produce milk vs actually BFing. Anyway with #2 who was FT things went much better. He's 10 months old tomorrow and we're still nursing away just fine with never having had to suppliment.

[newmommy]

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks so much, I was worrying because I didn't get a big response right away!!!
I had a wonderful milk supply, I remember pumping and getting about 4oz from each breast within 20 minutes.

I had to stop BF(which I so regret and think about what exactly I could have done daily) because I was getting migraines...and the prescrip I was given was not extensively researched with BF. My OB said, go ahead it's fine, and after 1 1/2 days, I thought to call DS' pedi--who said it was "up to you"---but she couldn't tell me for sure if it would affect him :eek: which scared the heck out of me....and I thought I had already poisoned DS and stopped abruptly! I couldn't function with the headaches, but I had to do something because DH was going to work......AHHHHH.... I don't know what the heck I was thinking but I digress :rolleyes:

So if there are any other mom's out there who have succeeded with #2, please share! I'm taking this year to do my research, because in the spring we are going to TTC :D

[linda_loo]

newmommy - Forgive me if you already have seen this... thought I'd share a good link:

http://kellymom.com/health/meds/migraine-meds.html

[newmommy]

Linda, thanks a bunch.