Hello! I've been trying to figure out ways to make our transition to two kiddies easier. My son is not the most independent toddler and I was wondering if pumping more for baby 2 might make things easier for us since my husband can feed the baby and help in more ways. I also imagine that feedings won't be as long as breastfeeding and perhaps LO 1 can even be involved. Did anyone do this? Do you thibk it would work the way I'm imagining??
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I hardly ever pump- with two kids it's so hard to find a time when I can. Between hooking up to the pump and washing all the parts then feeding the baby, that would all take longer than feeding her. But, like you said, then other people could be involved with would be nice.
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@Orchid: I have a 2.5 year old and a 7 month old. Right after LO2 turned 6 months, I switched to EPing (lots of reasons--with my work schedule, I was already basically only nursing at night, and I wanted my husband to be able to do some night feedings. Plus LO and I have had a thrush issue for now 3 months and I'm just over that).
Anyway, pumping with two kids at home is HARD. Just as hard if not more hard than just nursing. I do 3 of my pumps while I'm at work or commuting, but I always have at least 1 pump I have to do after work before DH gets home. So I have to wrangle two kids while I pump, and THEN get LO1 to stay semi quiet so I can bottle feed LO2 and put her down for her last cat nap around 5 pm.
When you are pumping, you can't control the older one--so my toddler takes that opportunity to love on her sister by jumping on top of her and making her cry---or by grabbing markers and trying to draw on the wall, or by opening the pantry and dumping crackers all over the floor. Fun stuff like that. And the baby likes to cry while I'm next to her but not holding her because I'm pumping.
Basically, it would be very unpleasant if I had to do it with 2 kids more than once a day. It's kind of a lot to ask of a toddler to "behave" without any interaction from an adult, you know?
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I'm not a SAHM, but I'm still on maternity leave with my 11 week old and EP'ing because of latch issues. Like PP have said, it's hard to wrangle both LOs while pumping. I have a battery powered pump, which helps some because I can move around and replace a paci or go stop the toddler, but I can't tell you how many times I've forgotten and leaned forward too far and milk spills out.
That being said, I definitely think it has been helpful to let other people feed LO2 while I play with LO1. DH puts LO2 to bed many nights because LO1 insists that I put her to bed. I don't think that LO1 associates pumping with LO2 "taking mommy away" like BFing would. Also, DH always takes the early morning wake ups which is nice.
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Holy shit, I have a 2yo and cannot imagine being hooked up to a pump while trying to chase him down. I actually even refused to pump when I was home alone during maternity leave. I couldn't handle the prospect of sitting next to a crying baby while hooked up to the pump. It was too much to contemplate on top of all the other crazy new mom stuff.
Sorry, I'm not trying to be discouraging. If/when I am dealing with a baby and my toddler, I expect to do a lot of baby wearing. Hopefully I will find a carrier that will allow me to nurse while wearing the baby.
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@Foodnerd81: @Anagram: @mrs.shinerbock: @ElbieKay: thanks for the input! My mom will stay with us for a few months and I also have a 12 year old step daughter who is homeschooled, so there will be people around to help me!
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@ElbieKay: lots of baby wearing in my plan too! I'm so nervous!
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I think nursing will be easier! But a combo may help. It's just that on days when you pump and have to feed the baby as well, it will be even longer the toddler has to wait!
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@mrs.shinerbock: yeah, it would be nice to have Dh feed the baby more so I could focus on the toddler. She is in a major mommy phase and it is really hard that only I can feed the baby, biologically, but the toddler will only let me help her too. So that would be a big benefit. But I'm home alone with both of them most of the time, and during the rare double nap I just don't want to pump!
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I have nursed three babies and pumped maybe ten times total.
I can't imagine pumping on top of feeding with a toddler (or two) running around. -
I EP with my 8mo, and it's a massive pain in the ass. It eats up most of my spare time during the day. But I hold her for naps so I can't do it then.
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