Are nursing experiences usually similar with different babies?

[SpringCrane]

Not a well worded title. Sorry. What I'm asking is if women tend to have similar experiences with nursing subsequent babies. If you had a lot of milk, is it likely to happen again? If you got mastitis with one, is it likely to occur? Those sorts of things. I know the babies themselves can be different, but from the momma's perspective, is it usually similar?

I had a VERY strong let-down and way, way too much foremilk with my son. I had to put him on the breast to start the let-down, and then I would soak a cloth diaper insert with foremilk. Once it stopped shooting out, I could put him to the breast and he'd eat a full meal on one side. Before I figured out this method he was choking down way too much air and foremilk, and he was very unhappy and uncomfortable. I had to continue that little routine for about 8 weeks before things started to normalize, and I could just stick him on the breast and feed him. I only ever had to feed him on one side though. And I leaked for over a year and had to wear nursing pads every day and night.

What are the chances my body will do a repeat? Or will I have new and different challenges to overcome because these babies like to keep us on our toes?

 

[Cangaroo]

I was lucky in that I didn't leak much with DD1. I did leak a bit and had to wear breast pads at first, but stopped when she was about 12 weeks I guess.

DD2, I haven't had to wear breast pads at all! She was EBF completely on demand with no dummies/bottles/pumping, so it felt like my supply was perfectly regulated for her from very early on. I didn't feel engorged at any point, whereas I often did with DD1. I wonder if that's because I pumped from 4 weeks with DD1. Also, DD1 breastfed throughout pregnancy and we tandem nursed for 6 months or so, which I'm sure makes a difference.

Both my DD's were tongue tied, and only DD2 had hers snipped, so perhaps that's another reason for the difference?

I think your experience is likely to be easier 2nd time around, even if only because you'll know how to deal with any problems that arise and where to turn for support right from the start.

 

[c1403]

I can only base this on the early weeks as with DD1 i stopped BF at six weeks. DD2 is still BF now at 16months. Dd1 had terrible reflux and I got the worse cracked nipples, feeding her was hard hard work so I gave up. Dd2 was much easier hence we have continued, although I can't say why maybe I was just more determined or she was not quite so fussy and had no reflux.

 

[GreyGirl]

Things have been very different for me, I didn't succeed in bf my daughter past 6 weeks of combi feeding, but I've been feeding my son successfully for 10 months.

 

[Bevziibubble]

I have had different experiences each time. With my daughter we had a really bad start. She chewed my nipples to bits, to the point that they were bleeding and she was throwing up blood that she'd drank. It was so painful and I then got mastitis which added more pain. It was such a horrible start but we did somehow make it through. I didn't enjoy it one bit at first though as everything went so wrong


This time round it couldn't be more different. There is no pain whatsoever, he's really taken to breastfeeding like a champ. I've been very lucky this time. I hope things go better for you this time too

 

[Snufflepop]

I am just trying to work this out myself.

I had virtually the same experience as you first time around. I had a massive oversupply and I didn't really know how to manage it. Dd would feed and take huge amounts of milk then projectile vomit it all back up because she had taken too much. Then she would want more milk because she had sicked it up so I would offer the other side so she was inadvertently getting way too much fore milk and no hind milk. I spent a solid two months cleaning up baby sick and the amount of clothes changes and washing was a nightmare. Like you it took me a couple of months to work out that she only needed one side per feed. Once I figured that out things improves. I leaked all the way til I stopped feeding at 16 months though which was such a pain.

I am only one week in to my new nursing experience and so far it's the same in terms of my supply but this time I am managing it better. I am block feeding my ds on one side for 2-3 hours before swapping sides. So far he is much more content than dd was as a baby because he is getting the right balance of milk and doesn't have a constant sore tummy. Hopefully it continues to work!

 

[Lotus Womb]

With my son I did not really leak at all he was a slow gainer. I started weaning him about 5 months and he took to eating solids well and I breastfeed him till he was 23 months. His weight gain balanced out when he went on solids and breast milk.

My daughter now 6 months and has just started weaning not overly interested in food had 2 meals a day thus week. Usually had 3 to 8 small spoon fulls. Her weight been fine all the way through actually much more of a chubber lol. I was vegan for 6 months of bf my son transitioned back onto fish and eggs at that time. This may have made a difference.

I have never needed breast pads only the early weeks.
I feel this time my mill may have more calories but supply seems simular. I have pumped since she was about 10 weeks as I teach Pregnancy yoga once a week so I had milk for her

Wishing you luck, not sure we can ever be sure till were doing it.

 

[SpringCrane]

I am just trying to work this out myself.

I had virtually the same experience as you first time around. I had a massive oversupply and I didn't really know how to manage it. Dd would feed and take huge amounts of milk then projectile vomit it all back up because she had taken too much. Then she would want more milk because she had sicked it up so I would offer the other side so she was inadvertently getting way too much fore milk and no hind milk. I spent a solid two months cleaning up baby sick and the amount of clothes changes and washing was a nightmare. Like you it took me a couple of months to work out that she only needed one side per feed. Once I figured that out things improves. I leaked all the way til I stopped feeding at 16 months though which was such a pain.

I am only one week in to my new nursing experience and so far it's the same in terms of my supply but this time I am managing it better. I am block feeding my ds on one side for 2-3 hours before swapping sides. So far he is much more content than dd was as a baby because he is getting the right balance of milk and doesn't have a constant sore tummy. Hopefully it continues to work!

This is very helpful to hear! I hope your second breastfeeding journey continues to be easier to manage! I guess it'll almost be better if it's the same since I already know how to deal with it. I'm also hoping baby will be less fussy and more content in the early weeks since I now know why my son wasn't!