Is anyone else torn between whether to breastfeed this time or not?
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I have no idea what I want to do! I only survived 4 months so well done to you! I keep thinking about the pros and cons and then asking my partner. He’s not really helpful 😂 I know it’s my decision at the end of the day but I do value his input x
@Maisie my husband is the same, I only want his input but apparently that's too much to ask 😂 I'm the same, I can't decide what to do x
I'd definitely consider combination feeding! Either with expressed milk or formula depending on your preference. There's no guarantee your new baby would want feeding as much as your first. My daughter started off like that but now feeds every 2.5-3 hours in the day and only wakes once in the night for a feed, we EBF for the first 6 weeks, then we introduced one expressed bottle a day which my partner always gives her, but you could do more bottles than that for your family to be more involved if you wanted.
I’m mixed feeding this time round - best of both worlds. My midwife has been really encouraging. I mixed fed with my first from the first week (for medical reasons) and really liked that my partner was able to do some feeds. I also found it reduced the physiological pressure of breast feeding for me. If you do mix feed just make sure you keep a rough eye on how many feeds a day you are doing of each and keep with roughly the same each day to avoid over or under supply.
I just had my second. My first was a nightmare to feed and we combifed him (most breast milk though). I’m 3 days into my second and think I’m going to stop. I’d forgotten the stress and pain and drama of it all and I feel like I just can’t this time!
My first sounds like your first - he wanted to feed all the time and they were looong feeds. It felt like he was ‘on me’ all day every day. However, I’m six months into breastfeeding my second and it is honestly so much easier! She has shorter feeds with longer gaps in between and it makes all the difference. You could give it a try for a few days / weeks and see how Baby Number 2 feeds and more importantly see how you feel? X
This is my first so I don't have anything to compare but maybe see how you go and how it feels? If it's not right you could always consider combi feeding either with expressed or formula and then make a decision depending on what works for you?