This post was supposed to be submitted for the Carnival of Breastfeeding for June. But hormones got in the way and I didn't make it to the deadline.
When we found out that I was pregnant with baby Flower (nicknamed by N), N was still nursing at night with no end in sight. I considered allowing her to tandem nurse - then I thought that I had been ready to wean since early this year. Our weaning experience was quite pleasant and couldn't have been more timely. A couple of days after N weaned, I had some bleeding and was put on bed rest. As with my pregnancy with N, the first trimester of this pregnancy is not easy - I throw up the whole day and couldn't eat. I have already lost about 10lbs.
Plus I am concerned about how my breastfeeding experience with Flower will be. My breastfeeding experience with N was quite difficult. Since then, I have become started this blog, collected and read several breastfeeding books, become a certified peer counselor and counseled several moms on how to successfully breastfeed. And this makes me more concerned about breastfeeding Flower. What if I will have a more difficult experience than I did with N? What if I have birthing issues? Will I be able to breastfeed Flower as long as I did N? What if I will have an experience like Katie Granju's?
N has been great in reminding me about Flower. Whenever I get home from work, she immediately gives me a kiss and proceeds to kiss and say hi to Flower too. Admittedly, I haven't been connecting much with Flower this first trimester as I just want it to be over. I am also concerned with how N will be when Flower is here. For now, the "threat" isn't real yet so I don't really see any sibling jealousy. But knowing how I was so into N during the first month, I can't imagine how my first month with Flower will be with N hovering about.
I wonder how moms of multiple kids or even multiple babies handle it? Have you breastfed more than 1 child? How different was your experience for each?
I bet you'll do great!!!
ReplyDeleteI have breastfed three, but only my first was breastfed individually (I've been tandem nursing- and triandem nursing for a while) since my 2nd was born. So I'm not sure I'm really qualified to share my experience, but #2 and #3 went extremely well, just easing into things pretty effortlessly. We had some massive battles with thrush over the last couple of years, but overall it's gone very well. We didn't really run into the jealousy thing either (but then again, like I said, they were still nursing). I'm sure there are many ways to make that work out more smoothly though!
Good luck!!
thanks for your tips! looking forward to nursing number 2 and i hope i have much easier time too! :D
ReplyDeletebecause of your experience with N, i'm sure you'll do great with Flower. you've nursed N for so long, you'll be more determined to succeed with Flower.
ReplyDeleteif N's concern and love for Flower now is any indication, she'll be that way when Flower arrives. she'll be a great atchi :)
tenchu neki! she is quite excited!!
ReplyDeleteAgree! Bet you'll do great!
ReplyDeleteThis is what we did:
> we bought "you're now a big brother" DVDs and books for P. (The funny thing is, the younger one is the opposite gender, right? So he thought he was having a sister initially. Until my ultrasound!)
> when I delivered, S took him to the toy store to get him a gift from K. And he got to choose something for K din.
> when K was home, I would really have to hand K to someone else and take time with P, kahit half an hour lang or an hour.
Long and short of it is that you really have to make use of your support systems to the max.
And knowing N as she is, she'll be a great big sister. =)
Agree! Bet you'll do great!
ReplyDeleteThis is what we did:
> we bought "you're now a big brother" DVDs and books for P. (The funny thing is, the younger one is the opposite gender, right? So he thought he was having a sister initially. Until my ultrasound!)
> when I delivered, S took him to the toy store to get him a gift from K. And he got to choose something for K din.
> when K was home, I would really have to hand K to someone else and take time with P, kahit half an hour lang or an hour.
Long and short of it is that you really have to make use of your support systems to the max.
And knowing N as she is, she'll be a great big sister. =)
I've been thinking of the same thing. I'm still nursing my 10mo old son but given my age, I'm thinking of having another child by next year. I'm also concer
ReplyDeleteI didn't get to do tandem breastfeeding because I was made to stop breastfeeding my eldest the moment my OB found out I was preggers. Maybe it was because I was already used to it, but it was much easier for me to breastfeed my 2nd baby.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and I'm sure it'll be a breeze for you and N will love being a big sister :)
Breastfeeding was absolutely EASIER the second time. The first time I was having difficulty with his latching and my milk didn't come until 4 days after he was born. The second time, no pain, no wounds, no scabs. It was just easier for both of us. I guess I knew how to do it better.
ReplyDeleteMy worry when I was pregnant with the second was that I didn't think I could love him as much as the first. I was so in love with my child I didn't think that I had any more to give. But I was so wrong, it sort of just comes. As soon as I held him, I knew I was an idiot to even think that I couldn't love him as much.
Hi Jen, The only activity I could do with my older children post partum was read a book. They seem to be okay with it. N will be great and yes I agree with the other moms it was easier compared to the first. I am excited for you!
ReplyDeleteI wanted to tandem feed Tim and Rysse but I couldn't bear the nipple pain (I was literally screaming in pain and getting so mad with Tim, it wasn't healthy for both of us anymore!) so we weaned Tim when I was 3 months pregnant with Rysse. I thought BFing Rysse would be easier but she ended up a poor latcher at the start. Good thing the midwives and nurses in East Timor (Timor Leste) taught me to pump and feed her with a dropper/spoon.
ReplyDeletePreparing Tim for Rysse's birth, we also got books about being an older sibling, and talked to Tim a lot about Rysse and how she was growing in my tummy. We prayed for her morning and evening together with him, and would let him kiss my tummy a lot. We'd also tell him stories of when HE was born and when he was in my tummy.
After giving birth to Rysse, we were in and out of the hospital for almost a month, and it helped a lot that my mom was there to be with Tim during the times when A. and I were in the hospital. With prayers and support from family and friends, we were all able to adjust. :-)
Congrats again Jenny and I'm, we're so excited for you, Stan and N! :-) Godbless always!