Did any other mommys nurse or pump for their 1st DC, and not for the next ?

I'll preface this by saying that I was never really one of those people who were one way or the other in terms of BF- I kind of went into it with the attitude, if it works great, if not, thats great too...So for DS, he never latched (had a clam reflex, they called it) so I decided to pump & FF for the 1st 8 weeks - A friend had lent me her Medela, so I had it anyway etc...As any of you know who do both, its very time consuming though...

With that being said, I am now almost 9 mo. PG with # 2 and so on the fence again...Only difference is , my friend gave her pump to a cousin , so i'd have to either buy/rent or borrow from someone else..I know that is going to be one of the 1st questions they ask me in the hospital and I'm afraid I'm going to sit there and go DUHHHHH - LOL !...I feel guilty if I did it for one and not the other, but at the same time, I know it will probably be tough if I get another "non-latcher" -to pump with a very active 3 year old running around ....Just wondering if anyone else faced this ...I guess worst case scenario, i could give it a whirl in the hospital and if DC doesnt latch, I could do strictly formula...The baby is due in January too ( and I know the benefits of early BF for the immunities)...decisions, decisions, decisions !!

Re: Did any other mommys nurse or pump for their 1st DC, and not for the next ?

I can understand how you feel. For me, DS latched great and BFing was a much easier and enjoyable experience then I thought it would be. I worry if it's not as easy with the next how I'll feel about it. I think if I were in your shoes I would probably give Bfing a try. If you can do it, then give it your best shot. If it comes down to pumping again, I would probably just go the formula route. Of course you're trying to do the best for your kids, but having an overly stressed, exhausted mommy, isn't going to help anyone. In the very rare free moments you have, you want to attempt to relax, not have to worry about pumping. That's JMHO.

Re: Did any other mommys nurse or pump for their 1st DC, and not for the next ?

Re: Did any other mommys nurse or pump for their 1st DC, and not for the next ?

I BF my first for 1 whole year. He never had formula. I intended to do the same for #1, my DD. Didn't work out that way, and she ended up being formula fed and I gave up on pumping because I was sick. I do not feel bad about it at all. I did what was best for my child given the circumstances. I would just take that approach, you never know, #2 could latch like a champ and you'll take it from there. If not, you've been down that road and formula feeding is your best bet.

Re: Did any other mommys nurse or pump for their 1st DC, and not for the next ?

Yes!

DS didn't latch until 6 weeks- I pumped and then we FINALLY got into a good BFing r'ship at 3 months. I nursed/pumped until he was 5.5 months and then I went on meds and weaned.

I wanted to nurse DD as well and she latched well but I had a lot of pain when nursing and DS was 16 months. I just couldn't spend the time nursing when I had a 16 month old needing me too. There was absolutely no way to spend the time pumping- I couldn't even leave DS alone in another room at that age. Plus, I had PPD and wasn't sure about the medication and nursing.

I feel guilty about not nursing DD- plus, she needed Alimentum and then had reflux too. But, she is happy and healthy and we are doing well as a family- and that's what really matters in the end. I knew what I can handle and I don't really regret it overall.

You'll figure out what works for you!

ETA: I HATED the LC's in the hospital- absolutely hated them. To heck with them- give it a whirl if you want and you will know if you can handle it as a family......

Message edited 11/24/2008 11:13:11 PM.

Re: Did any other mommys nurse or pump for their 1st DC, and not for the next ?

My DS couldn't latch (he had "tongue-tie" and needed to get his tongue corrected when he was a few months old), so I exclusively pumped for 6 months. Any of the mommies here who have pumped full-time know what a huge time commitment that is. It doubles the time feeding requires, because you need to dedicate time to pumping, and THEN time to feed the baby the bottle of pumped milk.

Now I'm 7 1/2 months pg, with a 2 1/2 yr old DS. Let's just say my pump is NOT coming out this time. I'm giving nursing a whirl in the hospital, but in my heart I have a feeling it's not going to work out, because I know how you really have to be *committed* to make breastfeeding work, and I'm just not feeling that determination. So it's pretty likely DD will be formula fed, and I feel good about that decision.

Re: Did any other mommys nurse or pump for their 1st DC, and not for the next ?

Re: Did any other mommys nurse or pump for their 1st DC, and not for the next ?

I only have one, but I've always said that since BF my DD (who was a VERY slow nurser, each session was AT LEAST an hour ) I cannot imagine how I will BF a second one while trying to take care of DD running all around too. I give major credit to those who can do it successfully!

I would LOVE to try, but if it doesn't work out I hope I'm ok with it. But I do want to try to BF when I have my 2nd, but hope to keep my expectations realistic.

Message edited 11/25/2008 8:33:18 AM.

Re: Did any other mommys nurse or pump for their 1st DC, and not for the next ?

Thank you so much for everyone's honest replies !!!!.....Its good to know that I'm not alone in the way I feel- Pumping was a very huge commitment ( and I only did it for 8 weeks) - and I am sitting here trying to imagine pumping with my 3 yo running amuck (sp?? ) in the house- I'm lucky I can put a load of laundry in now, without having to stop 3 times to make sure he's not hanging from the chandelier-LOL....So I guess I will try and see if DC#2 latches and then if not, most likely FF it will be.....

Part 2 to my own question -

Do you thing BF ( with a latcher) is tough with a 3yo ? Or would you think its harder to make /wash bottles etc...??Since I never had a latcher in the 1st place, I never experienced the conveneince of it ...The only downfall I guess, if DC #2 does latch is no help from DH at night, if I don't get a pump, unless somhow I manage to FF at night on occasion and it doesnt affect my supply ( if thats even possible )

Re: Did any other mommys nurse or pump for their 1st DC, and not for the next ?

I attempted to BF my daughter who was also born in Jan. I had no milk for 5+ days so she had to have formula too which is what she ate mostly in the hospital per doctors orders because she lost 17% of her birth weight...i was sent home on meds to try and get my milk going...it never really happened plus i had inverted nipples so DD couldnt latch. I tried pumping when i got home too...and was still hardly getting anything and was still giving DD formula per docs orders.
after 2 weeks of trying to feed and pump and getting pretty much no sleep because pumping took be FOREVER to even get 2oz from both breasts...i gave in and had her only on formula.
that being said I do not think I will be trying for the next...the emotional toll on me was just too much and I was very worn down and I do not want to have to have the feelings of being such a failure again because my body couldnt provide for my child....like everyone says BF is a very personal choice and in the end you have to do whats best for you and your child.

Re: Did any other mommys nurse or pump for their 1st DC, and not for the next ?

i am definitely going to give BFing a go for my next baby. especially since i think that some errors i made last time around may have affected my milk supply (or at least that's what i hope). i pray that it will be easier this time.

having said that... i am NOT going to make myself crazy and obsessed over it like i did with ds. i'm not going to go nuts with the pump and the supplements and the teas... if it starts costing me my sanity, i will stop and not feel the least bit guilty about it.

Re: Did any other mommys nurse or pump for their 1st DC, and not for the next ?

my ds could lnot latch due to inverted nips. He is now 10.5 wks and I am still pumping, not enough so he also needs formula. its so time consuming and exhausting, I doubt very much I will do this for my next dc. I planned to stop at 6 wks, then at 8 wks, then at 10 wks, now i';m planning on stopping at 12 wks so we'll see, Ikeep changng my mind!

Re: Did any other mommys nurse or pump for their 1st DC, and not for the next ?

i am on the fence about my next one. I BF for 2 weeks with DS and while i loved it, i developed Mastitis and had to stop It was so painful and horrible, i dont know if i am willing to chance going through that again with #2. I will prob try in the hospital so at least the next one gets the colostrum, which is the real important nutrients and then play it by ear. Also in my heart i know i am not committed to it as i will have to go back to work part time after 3 months and will have DS who is so active.