Mums BF for 2nd, 3rd or more times

[Charlyfrog]

I think this is the right place to ask....

Am due in 6wks with bubby #2 and am planning to BF (BF DD for just over 12months).

I had major dilemmas in the first 6 or so weeks with DD - mastitis 3 times in varying degrees and major cracked nipples that I almost quit the whole BF game but was saved by a breast pump!!

My concern however is (slight tmi?? ) the particular nipple that was the worst (right side) has never seem to ever go back to looking normal like the nipple on the left - it's always looked, well, broken! like the cracks never healed completely.

So am wondering am I going to have probs again this time?? Coz my memories of those first weeks aren't pretty and would love to BF but avoid all that yucky stuff.....

Would love any thoughts from those in the know Thanks for listening!!

[Yael]

I went to see a private lactation consultant at around 4 weeks - also had probelms with cracked nipples, thrush, vasospams etc.

She did say the cracks do heal over, but still look cracked and it basically becomes the landscape of the nipple, and it will stay like that

I also had one side that was worse, and it still looks cracked.. We managed to feed for 15 months, and plan to do the same with #2

12 months is fantastic!! What a great effort! I'm sure you will have no problems this time around, and hopefully its like what she said, it is healed but just looks cracked if that makes sense.

I also really recommend seeing a private LC if you are having problems early one, it is the one thing that really helped us get the feeding on track!

Good luck.

[~Jo~]

As much as Id like to say it will be fine i really do think it also depends on the baby. The good news is that second time around you have more of an idea of what to do as a mum and often being that bit more relaxed can help you enormously. It took me a week to get it right with my oldest dd, yet with my second she latched on and never let go! Expecting the same with third dd I got a shock as she took about a week to get the hang of it..then with Sammy we took probably 2 months as we had major attachment issues. I wish you all the best for a wonderful breastfeeding second time experience.

Jo

[MantaRay]

I agree that it really depends a lot on the baby. But it was much easier for me second time round too. DS#1 had a tongue-tie which prevented him from attaching properly and I went through the cracked nipples, 2 bouts of mastitis in the first 3 weeks, nipple shields for a few weeks and lots of pain. Second time around Tom attached first time and I only had some minor soreness in the early weeks (long gone now!!). I sincerely hope that your second time is easier too. I am sure you will get there, it certainly is worth it, isn't it!

[Tobily]

Another one here who tends to think that ultimately it's all up to the baby.
My two were like night and day to breastfeed, yet there wasn't much I did differently. One just came out knowing exactly what he was doing from day 1, the other needed a lot of help.
That's not saying it's totally out of your hands though, do all you can to prepare and the rest I think you just have to take as it comes. Oh and defnintely go the Lansinoh...I'm just rediscovering the joys of that stuff atm since DS popped his first tooth ouch!

[Bathsheba]

I agree, make sure you see a private LC as soon as you have any problems.

I just wanted to add that having BF 3 babies (and still BFing my 3rd) I have found that each time it was a little different so yes, a lot does depend on the baby too.

My first baby fed very well, although she was very energetic and didn't like to lie still for long in the end... shorter and shorter feeds led to her weaning at 9 months. I didn't fully understand the benefits of BFing back them or else I would have tried a little harder to keep going for a year.

My second baby was also a good feeder but something about his sucking made it kinda uncomfortable... maybe it was a bit of vasopspasm, maybe he has a mild tongue tie... i don't know but I put up with it for 9 months then gave up because it was still mildly uncomfortalble right to the end... not bad enough for me to seek help though... but I wish I had anyhow.

My third baby has also been a good feeder... but he has been a BITER!
He has drawn blood about 3 times and once I had to resort to ABM because even expressing was too painful. Lanisoh (which i had previously never used even though i got free samples in Bounty bags) all of a sudden became very useful (helps faster healing). Still, he has settled down a bit now and I've even gone onto re-lactation tablets to help boost my supply which fell due to the use of ABM. I'm hoping to feed him until winter is over (at the very least)... longer if he wants (and doesn't bite!)

So from my experience each baby is different, even in subtle ways, so *fingers crossed* for you that your next BFing experience is a little easier

ETA: oh and hiring an electric pump from the chemist was the best thing I ever did! I loved having a stockpile of frozen EBM so that going out wasn't such an issue. Highly recommended! I only did this with my 3rd.... wish i had done it for my first and second.

[Barb Glare]

Hi,

I would suggest you have a look at "Sue Cox's Mom and baby I can do that" DVD. You can see it at Mothers Direct http://www.mothersdirect.com.au/category40_1.htm
but your local ABA group or breastfeeding clinic may have it.

It is really important to have early skin to skin contact, allow the baby to go to the breast by him/herself. Try to avoid getting up and showering too quickly, or using strong perfumes or deodorants. All these things can sometimes seem a little too simple - but they make a lot of difference

Warm Regards
Barb

[~Raven~]

I had a lot of problems with my first and was expecting the same again with my second and was pleasantly surprised. Angus was a good latcher and feeder and my nipples only had a slight feeling of "rawness" for a couple of days.

With Caleb I'm not sure if I was a bit slack because I had such an easy time with Angus but I ended up with a crack that turned to a bit of an ulcer which took about 3 weeks to heal. I kept persevering (toe curling pain...big ouchies ) because I knew that once it was healed it would be all good - which it was and thankfully still is

I think it's good to be prepared for a few hurdles and be very wary of your attachment from the outset. If you have a few problems then take action ASAP. Nipple shields if you have to, change the way you hold bub ie football hold, or if you have to rest the nipple you can express out for one feed from that side.

[BellyBelly]

One of my recent clients gave birth in a birth centre and due to shonky advice, ended up with mastitis twice before I even got to see her for the post-natal visit. I sent Pinky off to see her (IBCLC) and in one visit the problem was detected and fixed. I got a beautiful email from her 'I now know what you mean about breastfeeding being enjoyable.' Aaaawwwww...

Definitely agree with seeking help early, from an LC, the ABA or as per Barb suggested. Lots of great advice here