Breastfeeding again after a year? (about baby not milk supply)

[Kiwiberry]

Ok ladies, I have decided that after my 2nd baby is born that I am going to try and breastfeed my first again. She stopped around 12 months old because of what I thought was her just losing interest. She is now 16 months old. The more research I do, the more I want to establish breastfeeding for her again. I am going to wait till after the new baby is born before I start again. This pregnancy is considered high risk so I wont be able to build up a milk supply while still pregnant.

What I want to know is any experience you mommies have had on reestablishing breastfeeding? Did it work out in the end?

 

[Marumi]

I'm not in the same situation but a la leche league member and have seen this happen. It really depends on the toddler. Some will gain interest again, others won't.
Should she be interested she will likely have to relearn some. Though they don't fully forget at that age and the mouth palate is shaped for nursing untip up to 7, she may have a bad latch and use her teeth. In pregnancy I had to correct my son's latch so he could handle the new fullness.

La Leche League offers meet ups worldwide so I would try to find a group or even consult one of their lactation consultants to help with the latch then and there.

 

[Kiwiberry]

Thank you!

I will definitely talk to an LC when I am in L&D with my 2nd. She is interested, she has actually gone to grab my boob and pull it to her mouth (about a week ago, not sure exactly). It is part of the reason I started looking into it again. I know she will probably still want to especially when she sees the new baby nursing too.

 

[Marumi]

Oh wow that sounds promising! Then she will be encouraged with the new baby nursing.

May I ask why you are considered high risk? Just wondering as I can't think of any high risk related nursing restrictions on the top of my head. But true, you probably would not develop a proper milk supply early on. I dried up for a short while in the first trimester.

 

[Kiwiberry]

My first baby was 3 months premature. It was a struggle to get her to learn to breastfeed but we did it! I just know she will pick it up so quickly. Maybe it's just a mommy being overly supportive of her baby, but I saw her fight so hard from the very beginning.

The reason I mentioned about high risk was because of how breastfeeding caused contractions and I did not know if that would cause an issue this time around. If I can get started early I certainly will, but not 100% sure I can. I will ask my OB first thing on the 14th.

They did not find a reason for why I went into pre-term labor. I assume it was something genetic because I was born 3 months premature as well. The women who gave birth to me went on to have 3 more full term healthy babies, so I am kind of crossing my fingers the same can happen for me.

 

[Marumi]

I see!

Normally bf in pregnancy isn't a problem, but if there are any concerns many doctors will advise against it. My first OB was very much convinced I need to stop or else I will miscarry. The next said it is an old wives tale. To be safe you way want to wait until the very end of your pregnancy. Since you already completely stopped I think it is different from simply continuing.

I do get very mild Braxton Hicks when I nurse. Not always but often. They subside quickly after.
However, I have been experiencing episodes of very many and very frequent Braxton Hicks for the past 2 weeks. I think many doctors would advise against breastfeeding in pregnancy with that many BH but me suddenly stopping after so many years will surely shock my hormones too.

I hope your baby stays put this time! I have dealt with the risk of a preemie due to my kidney and pelvic infection.

If you do decide to breastfeed closer to your EDD, here is a great site about bf in pregnancy:

https://kellymom.com/category/pregnancy/bf-preg/

 

[Kiwiberry]

Just based on your experiences with the BH, I think I am going to wait till my lo is born. Thank you so much for the site reference. I will probably not need it now, but I would welcome any sites on how to reestablish bf'ing. I will have a good milk supply with the new baby, just need to work on helping Riya.

 

[pinkpassion]

Not the same really because I won't be reintroducing dd1 to nurse, but I plan to express some and give dd1 breastmilk. It's better for her than cows milk and I ebf her until she was 16 months. I had planned to nurse her until 2 and then express for her while ebf dd2. But since I have to be on blood thinners I was told I needed to stop nursing so the meds didn't go to dd1. I was sad but I am glad I can give her some milk after baby is born!

 

[Kiwiberry]

Thanks for the idea Pink. If she is not interested anymore I will just pump bottles for her!

 

[pinkpassion]

Oh I'm sorry, I didn't mean to insinuate that you should do that! I just thought I'd join in the convo. I was interested because I didn't know other people were thinking of giving their older/other kids bm especially after not having it

 

[Kiwiberry]

I did not take it that way promise! I honestly think its a great idea . One that I actually did not even think about!

She loves her bottle, and it would be a great way to get her bm. Especially if she is not interested in nursing anymore.