Breast or formula?

[Iren_iren]

Hi ladies!
I dont want to sparkle war here, just need some of your experience (mums of 2+ kids) and those who expecting their second.

I breastfed my first exclusively for 4 month and then combifed. It was not easy and i struggled a lot, but glad that i did it
Now that i am expecting my second and i wont be able to just sit on the cough and feed almost non stop for the first 6 weeks as it was with Lucas
As much as i understand benefits of breastmilk, i also believe that happy family is happy mum and toddler who gets some attention as well.
Not sure what i am really after, just would be great if you share your experience.
How did you do breastfeeding with your second? Did it affect your relationship with older child? What about routine and clusterfeeds?
Did you go straight to formula second time around? What was easier? More difficult? How did it work with your family schedule

Thank you all in advance!

 

[confused87com]

My first was a prem and was attached to me all day long. My second fed like a dream. Settled in between and was content. I read stories and did jigsaws whilst nursing. I found the baby stage pretty simple with 2. Baby 2 nene did take a bottle. Feed her til she was 2. Second babies aren't necessarily the same as first. You can always just see how you go. I don't feel breastfeeding the second affected my first. Not so sure about the third though!

 

[Iren_iren]

Thanks!
You are right, it might be different second time around, or i might get easier baby haha

My first was a prem and was attached to me all day long. My second fed like a dream. Settled in between and was content. I read stories and did jigsaws whilst nursing. I found the baby stage pretty simple with 2. Baby 2 nene did take a bottle. Feed her til she was 2. Second babies aren't necessarily the same as first. You can always just see how you go. I don't feel breastfeeding the second affected my first. Not so sure about the third though!

 

[superfrizbee]

I've BF both kids and personally speaking I found it's easier (the first weeks are hard obviously). No bottles to clean, sterilise etc. Second time around I found BFing easier too as I knew more what I was doing. I was only sore for a couple of days really and my boobs didn't get quite so enormous! I think my body remembered what it did before iykwim? DS never really cluster fed unlike dd so that was a relief! I had a new stash of quiet toys we could do together on the sofa - a magnet board, books, stickers etc for when I imagined us camped out. We also had new films we could sit and watch which was good for BFing times and when either of us needed a breather or a rest. A wrap for ds was a god send too. That's just my experience. It's a very individual one and depends on you, your older child (my dd was remarkably good and not jealous) and the temperment of your baby. We had read books about a new baby and big sister and with both I chose ones that showed a mummy BFing so I could explain to dd more about it. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Iren_iren]

Thank you! Its really helpful
I'll remember about new films and quiet games, good tip!
I think i just have to wait and see how the new baby will be

I've BF both kids and personally speaking I found it's easier (the first weeks are hard obviously). No bottles to clean, sterilise etc. Second time around I found BFing easier too as I knew more what I was doing. I was only sore for a couple of days really and my boobs didn't get quite so enormous! I think my body remembered what it did before iykwim? DS never really cluster fed unlike dd so that was a relief! I had a new stash of quiet toys we could do together on the sofa - a magnet board, books, stickers etc for when I imagined us camped out. We also had new films we could sit and watch which was good for BFing times and when either of us needed a breather or a rest. A wrap for ds was a god send too. That's just my experience. It's a very individual one and depends on you, your older child (my dd was remarkably good and not jealous) and the temperment of your baby. We had read books about a new baby and big sister and with both I chose ones that showed a mummy BFing so I could explain to dd more about it. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Cattia]

I've breastfed all three of mine. The second and third times have been much easier, because I've known what I was doing, had no troubles with latching or sore nipples or anything like that. Personally I find BF more convenient than FF, because there is no cleaning or preparation to worry about. You don't have to think about taking stuff with you when you go out, you can just go and feed wherever you need to. There are plenty of things you can give your older one to do when you're feeding, but I found that I could pretty much walk around the house feeding with baby propped up on one arm.

 

[misspriss]

My second was infinitely easier and also harder than my first.

First was a preemie, I had to pump for 2 weeks before rooming in at the hospital to feed him and we had to use nipple shields for 11 weeks. We struggled to keep him awake to feed, etc.

Second was term, latched right on and we have never had problems with latch.

However, my first came home on NICU schedule. He slept until we woke him at 3 hours to change his diaper, feed him, and get him back to sleep - for another 3 hours. Second? she sleeps 2-3 hours sometimes, other times 20 minutes. Sometimes she falls right asleep after a feed, other time she fights it forever.

DS is good at self entertaining at home, where he has toys. So far feeding her has not been an issue, except DS wants to nurse when she does (I tandem nurse).

 

[Kitteh_Kat]

I'll go the opposite end, and say that we are planning to also exclusively feed our second with formula. My husband is gone a lot for his profession, so it usually falls on me... and I had great success feeding DD with formula. She started sleeping 12+ hours at night at 5 weeks, and never had a problem, so I'm hoping for a similar result with round two. (if not, then at least I know hubby will be able to contribute to night feedings like he wants to) Either way, it was easy to bring along bottles because I also had to carry diapers and other things for her, so that was never an issue. Formula feeding was altogether easy, for my experience at least!

It's such a personal choice though, and there is no wrong or right answer! Just whatever works best for you and your baby.

 

[shinona]

Definitely easier to bf from my point of view and my older kids have just accepted that it's what mummy needs to do. There were probably some days when we watched far too much tv but it's just one of those things. My tip is always to feed on a sofa and leave space beside you for the bigger on to climb up. You'll become an expert at reading, doing puzzles and peeling stickers with one hand.
Good luck xx

 

[Button#]

My DS is at an age where he understands that the baby is having some mummy milk and he's been pretty good about playing by himself while I do. I chat to him while I feed her as well so it's not like I'm ignoring him. I've never formula fed so I can't give you a balanced opinion but even with formula you'll have to feed the baby while it's just the three of you so will take some time away from him.

 

[babe2ooo]

I bf my first and my 2nd. It was harder the 2nd time round with trying to give my other child my time as well. But I've done it and my lo is 6 months 2moro. My first is nearly 7 so he was older which made it easier. I'm still bfing now. I would try and bf and see how long u can. It's worth it

 

[AP]

I FF when DD1 got home from NICU after 12 weeks of expressing . i thought that was fine. When I had Dd2 I chose to breastfeed her and i found it much less work. No faff making and sterilising bottles, no need to warm stuff up, going out was an absolute breeze. I couldn't imagine adding all the bottle stuff while look after the two girls. I eventually moved to full time formula months later but by that point it wasn't an issue

 

[HoneyBee144]

I'm in the minority but I FF my second and found it much easier than BF. I breastfed my first son for 12 weeks and he fed like a dream, it was so easy. My second son didn't like breastfeeding, he fed fine but he was very fussy and clearly unhappy. He also fed every 2 hours but never seemed like he was taking enough so would get upset quickly after and be on and off constantly until his next proper feed 2 hours later. Maybe there's more I could have done, maybe I could have tried harder but to be honest I just felt like formula feeding was the right thing to do for him. Sure enough we changed to formula at 5 weeks and he's been content and feeding great since, he just seems to prefer a bottle.

I don't find formula feeding more difficult, I feel it gives me more freedom and I don't mind washing bottles etc as it soon just becomes part of the daily routine.

Either way, see how baby is once they arrive and just take it day by day. Do what feels right for you and your family.

 

[lisa1980]

There are definitely pros and cons to both and it does really depend on your baby's temperament and that of your older child. DS1 was never jealous luckily and we spent a lot of lovely time reading stories or playing games on the sofa in the newborn days of DS2.

I found BF my second to be easier than the first. He didn't really clusterfeed so that wasn't an issue. I could walk around feeding him with one arm free which helped a lot when chasing after a toddler. I did express so DH could do some feeds but tbh at night it was way less faff just to lop out a boob (useful for when I needed to pop in the day out though).

Once my supply was established I'd give the odd bottle of formula when I wanted to...handy for times when I had to pop to work etc and had grandparents watching him but hadn't expressed. I now switch back and forth between formula and BF according to how we feel on the day. I like the freedom it gives me for others to feed him but dislike the hassle of it in terms of prep and washing, needing two hands to feed him, and the cost of the stuff (I had forgotten how expensive it was!).

The advice to take it a day at a time is good I think

 

[bdb84]

I nursed my second for over 2 years and truthfully I did not enjoy it that much. She never took a pacifier or a bottle so every feed and every urge to comfort suck was on me. She was latched on all day every day for the first several months. I struggled with a huge bout of PPD due to this, but felt I would be failing her if I stopped nursing her.

With my third I have combifed almost from the start. For the first month or so it was mostly breastmilk, but now it's about half and half and I enjoy it so much as I get the best of both worlds. I do not find FFing a hassle at all. I sterilized the bottles when I first bought them, but now I only wash them in the dishwasher. It takes me 30 seconds to put together a bottle.. not much more time than it takes for me to pull down my top, unlatch my bra, and get her settled on.

 

[Iren_iren]

Thank you, my buggest worry in breastfeeding is the time it takes, especially in the beginning and i dont want to neglect my older child, but i agree washing/strerilizing bottles is a lot of hassle.

I've breastfed all three of mine. The second and third times have been much easier, because I've known what I was doing, had no troubles with latching or sore nipples or anything like that. Personally I find BF more convenient than FF, because there is no cleaning or preparation to worry about. You don't have to think about taking stuff with you when you go out, you can just go and feed wherever you need to. There are plenty of things you can give your older one to do when you're feeding, but I found that I could pretty much walk around the house feeding with baby propped up on one arm.

 

[Gym knickers]

I breastfed #1 for 6 months and still feeding number 2. I've loved it both times to be honest and found formula feeding much more time consuming with all the steralising and time taken to go down and make bottles- especially as I don't like to leave lo to cry in case it wakes up my toddler.
Also it only takes one hand to breastfeed and I just have my toddler on my lap watching TV or my phone if she needs me while feeding. But you've got to do what's best for you and don't worry about anything except keeping you and baby happiest.

 

[Iren_iren]

Thank you all ladies!
Everyone has a different story
I will give it a go and see how we all be doing with bf, i'll have my mum around for the first 4 weeks and then my DH will have time off for Christmas, so i'll have some support around