is bf a newborn the hardest age to bf?

[FsMummy]

ok i dont know if that title makes sense lol wat i mean is, is it less awkward to bf them when they are a few months or more old? or is feeding a newborn the easy bit? i know ive got growth spurts and what not to look forward to but on the whole is it more enjoyable as they get older or more stressful? im really enjoying it atm and would love it to last till they self wean, is this realistic? i know im a long way off of that yet and every day is a little victory. i am so determined to make it work as long as possible. i really cant believe i gave up so quick wit dd. im managing so well with these 2 so far that i can only imagine it wouldve been even easier feeding just 1 iykwim (im not saying its a piece of cake 2 feed 1, do u know what i mean?) ill shut up now lol. so, basically what is ur experience of bf past the newborn stage?

 

[Pyrrhic]

I found newborn the hardest stage, and I BFed up until 6 months. The only reason why I stopped is Niamh was getting less and less interested in BFing (we had a lot of hiccups from the start though), and I wanted to stop to concentrate on getting fit for the Army.

I think BFing until self weaning is entirely possible

 

[Mervs Mum]

I find it gets easier as they learn to latch without you needing to get into a certain position etc. They just seem to know how to draw the breast in really well with no effort.

 

[FsMummy]

i thought the latching part might get easier. i am gobsmacked at how well they latch already as they were born at 36 weeks. i was so worried we'd have a lot of problems (u prob remember my paranoid ramblings lol) but they have done brilliantly. we have the odd moment where they wont take thier hand away from thier face or they dont latch well but on the whole the main issue has been the fact they ALWAYS feed at the same time. it wouldnt usually be an issue but i feel like dd is being left out. do thier feeding patterns settle down and become a bit morte predictable? atm if i put them down after a feed they will want feeding constantly but if i leave them in position on my lap they will sleep a cpl of hours!

 

[Mervs Mum]

They will find their pattern naturally IMO. By about 3/4 weeks a pattern was emerging for us and apart from the cluster feeding settling down, it stayed very similar from tnen to 6 months when we weaned

 

[Lu28]

I definitely found the newborn age to be the hardest, it gets easier as it goes on as everyone figures out what it is they're doing

 

[Arcanegirl]

I def found the newborn stage the hardest.

 

[mommyof3co]

I think newborn was the hardest but I also had a bit of a hard time around 3-4mo when they really became aware of everything around them, they started getting distracted while eating ALL the time and that became a real pain, I would try and go back in my room where it was really quiet so they would actually eat, but that didn't last long

 

[Logiebear]

We had so many issues the newborn stage lasted for 4 months lol We are exceptional though and things are laods better now.

 

[Plumfairy]

Yes definately the hardest I'd say. I found that feeding would take soooo long and she'd fall asleep on the boob all the time and I couldnt really tell if she was feeding or just comfort sucking but after a couple of months we got a bit of a pattern going Hats off to you though! Ive read your posts and think you're doing bloody amazing! I cant even imagine what it would be like looking after 2 newborns let alone breastfeed 2 AND take care of another child! Supermum! xxx

 

[jms895]

I dont do anything now, Caine rolls and latches himself, calls for it, opens his mouth etc, so yes its harder for the first 5 or 6 weeks I would say then easy peasy xx

 

[esther]

I found the first few weeks the hardest, when she was learning to attach properly and I was learning to know about it as well, being my first baby it was very stressful too. Now she is almost 9 weeks old and we have the motions down to a fine art so it is no longer stressful!

 

[Blah11]

I ahree with everyone. newborn stage is the hardest by far. Not only does baby get more efficient with the latch and suck but they take less time, and you sort of get used to the routine X

 

[dippy dee]

I did find feeding a newborn more time consuming and tiring but now i couldn't imagine not feeding him, he feeds within minuets and before i'm all ready he has already made a dive for me and latched on lol.
I think you are amazing feeding the twins congratulations hun xx

 

[Samantha675]

It really is. It is so demanding. Plus just starting out there are so many questions, and worries about if the baby is getting enough, if you are producing and just a lot of stuff going on.

 

[beancounter]

so much easier now. He takes less time to feed 5 or 10 mins, latches on himself.. I can just lie in bed and get the OH to fetch him lie him next to me and leave him to it. So even early morning feeds are tolerable!

 

[Grace's mum]

Thanks for this thread, there is light at the end of the tunnel!
Grace is 4.5 weeks so hopefully the worst will soon be over!
Thank you for your encouraging words

 

[elm]

Newborn was definitely the hardest age for us too. We had all sorts of problems. It's so much easier now x

You're doing really well I don't think it's unrealistic at all to bf til they self wean.