I was just wondering if anyone who has breast fed through pregnancy can share their stories.
Does the nipple pain ever stop? does the feeling of being completely not your own go away?
How did you manage feeding when you had no lap? what positions worked best for tandem feeding?
I was just reading Astrid's post about wanting to wean.... and I so feel like that.... but there is no way DD is going to let it happen. she screams blue murder if I dare refuse her and it's not like she forgets in a few minutes and moves on to something else.... she will just scream and now tantrum in a most dramatic style.
It's not even that I want to wean her...I just occasionaly don't feel like being pinched and hit and toyed with why she feeds.
So, i was just wondering if once the new baby arrives, things settle down.... do you get that b/f is wonderful feeling back again. Will I enjoy b/f a newborn again as much as I did the first time.... or has the novelty gone forever?!?
I don't really want to wean til she's ready.... which may be ages away yet....so any tips will be appreciated.
Laura, I BF throughout PG and tandem fed for about a month until K self-weaned. I had sore nipples on and off but it settled down. K would just postion himself around my tummy for day feeds, for his bedtime feed we'd lie down. If you find things difficult you could get your DD to sit next to you, facing you, and feed like that.
Tandem feeding postions - usually we would do the twin/football postion, one on each side. Tandem feeding can be a wonderful experience. I loved having a baby on each side. K would look at J and reach over to hold his hand or pat his head. Gorgeous!! It can be a great way for siblings to bond and also a good way to keep a toddler occupied when the newborn has to be fed LOL.
Good luck Laura. Unfortunately I only fed through half my pg as Jack self-weaned. I was intending to tandem feed. I had no difficulty feeding until he weaned - he just worked around my belly - and after my 3.5 month break of bfing, I had no troubles feeding Thomas. The pain was less than it had been feeding Jack as a newborn. And the joy is there all over again!
I breastfed my first throughout my pregnancy with his brother and then fed both boys for 2.5 years after that. I won't say I didn't have my ups and downs - but in hinsght (they are 12 and 14 now) it was a very satisfying expereince. I then fed my 2 daughters together as well, though Guan was older when she started as she was adopted.
I highly recommend "Adventures in Tandem Nursing" by Hilary Flower available from Mothers Direct www.mothersdirect.com.au It's a great read. It's pretty common to feel "over it" with breastfeeding and mothering. It doesn't mean you are not a good mother because sometimes you feel like screaming "LEAVE ME ALONE" Even though she's little, you are within your rights to say "Please don't pinch me - I don't like it" She'll get the idea. It has to be a compromise between her needs and your needs - that's what family life is all about.
Let us know how it goes
We're still feeding here My nipples have been sensitive I guess.. but only when he initially latches on. I've still got a fair amount of lap, so haven't had position problems yet, but like Angel, our night feeds are lying down.
I do think he's slowly weaning, and most feeds these days are comfort feeds more than good drinks of milk. If we're out for the day he doesn't ask for milk, but days at home he'll have up to 4 feeds a day. He still feeds to sleep, so I'm hoping he doesn't wean too soon! hehe.
I too would LOVE to tandem feed, but I'm not holding my breath. oh - and I LOVE that book Adventures in Tandem Nursing! Definitely a must read. Has good advice on having a new baby arrive anyway.. whether your toddler is still feeding or not.
today I drove across town to go to the ABA shop (nearlt 3 hour round trip and by the end both DD andI were cranky pants)
BUT i got the Hilary Flower book and already it's been worth the drive....
I found the section about breastfeeding aggitation and started crying with relief that i wasn't the only one who wanted to run away screaming sometimes... the quotes from the various mothers were brilliant and when i read them to DH i think it was the first time he relaly understood..... I don't think i was explaining myself very well.
so with a sigh of relief, i'm looking forward to reading the rest of the book.
Thanks again for the name of the book Barb and Liz, and also for sharing your stories.... i've been feeling really alone and freakish for some reason.....probably coz hardly anyone seems to have tandem breastfed and i keep getting told all sortf of crazy stories that i know aren't true...like the baby won't grow, or my teeth will fall out etc.
Laura - I think the first chapter I turned to was Dealing with Doubters LOL and read it out to my mum, and of course all the bits about it not taking away from the new baby etc. She left me alone after that! Altho, she does still say now & then that she hopes he's weaning. pfft.
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b/f in pregnancy and tandem feeding
My nipples have been sensitive I guess.. but only when he initially latches on. I've still got a fair amount of lap, so haven't had position problems yet, but like Angel, our night feeds are lying down.
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