Looking for a little advice

[Duffy6684]

I am planning on attempting to breast feed my son. I couldn't do it with my first(couldn't bring myself to try) The only concern I have is to do with a comment the midwife made when I talked to her about it. She told me to seriously consider if it was best for me as I have a 3 year old in the house and the demand can be high with newborn.

What I would like to try is exclusive breast feeding for the couple weeks that OH is here. If demand is high by time he is due to return to work then I thought I could introduce bottle feeding as well.

The only question I have is when would be the best time to give my baby a bottle or a boob?? Is this a good idea?? Should I only be doing one or the other??

I am so confused as to what to do. I want to give it a try but at the same time I don't want my 3 year old to feel ignored because my newborn wants to feed every 2 hours. I was thinking if it's possible to mix both successfully then the times were LO is bottle feeding my little man can help me, he is desperate to help me look after his brother and I want him involved as much as possible. Also having some bottle feeds means OH can have a go and I get a break. I dunno if it will work, wondered if any one on here has been successful with this method??

 

[mommyof3co]

Wow I can't believe the midwife would say that! yes the demand can be high at times but it can be done, it's really not that hard. With my 2nd I had a 2yr old and newborn..he exclusively breastfed...with my 3rd I had a 4 1/2yr old, 2 1/2yr old and then a newborn. Honestly making time to feed really wasn't that hard, I would sit them down with me and we would read, or I would get them a snack, let them sit and color or even just put on a show or something. They were fine, they fully understood the baby had to eat, there were a few times where they wanted something while I was nursing and they just had to learn to be a little patient and as soon as I could I would get it for them. It really wasn't a big issue, they were too in love with their little brother and understood that babies have to eat alot and he doesn't understand to wait a minute.

You can do both bottle and breast though, I would wait until breastfeeding is established to introduce a bottle because bottles are much easier to eat from so giving it too early might make them refuse the breast because it's more work.

 

[Duffy6684]

Wow I can't believe the midwife would say that! yes the demand can be high at times but it can be done, it's really not that hard. With my 2nd I had a 2yr old and newborn..he exclusively breastfed...with my 3rd I had a 4 1/2yr old, 2 1/2yr old and then a newborn. Honestly making time to feed really wasn't that hard, I would sit them down with me and we would read, or I would get them a snack, let them sit and color or even just put on a show or something. They were fine, they fully understood the baby had to eat, there were a few times where they wanted something while I was nursing and they just had to learn to be a little patient and as soon as I could I would get it for them. It really wasn't a big issue, they were too in love with their little brother and understood that babies have to eat alot and he doesn't understand to wait a minute.

You can do both bottle and breast though, I would wait until breastfeeding is established to introduce a bottle because bottles are much easier to eat from so giving it too early might make them refuse the breast because it's more work.

I was a bit taken aback when she said it to be honest, I thought all midwife's were pro breast feeding. I do intend on attempting it this time as with my first I felt I was too quick to say no.

 

[MandaAnda]

All midwives here in the UK should support breastfeeding, regardless of their personal feelings. That really bugs me. Anyway, she should be helping you to find solutions to any problems you may see and shouldn't be throwing obstacles in your way.

 

[Jemima]

I think mummyof3co has given you great advice. I would wait and see how you get on. Don't make any decisions now, just prepare yourself as much as you can for breastfeeding and then take each day as it comes. You might find that by the time breastfeeding is well established and the moment comes when you were thinking about introducing a bottle, you have all taken to it so well that you want to carry on as you are.

I'm sure your little boy can help in lots of other ways apart from feeding. I have heard some mums with older children mention that they use feeding time as a time when their big brother or sister can get out a "special toy" as a treat and therefore they don't feel as though they are missing out.

Good luck with everything. x