I struggle with this. If breastfeeding provides all the benefits it claims to I would want each child to have the same advantages. So since DS nursed 21 months and he will have breastmilk until 24 months, I feel I need to do the same for each child after. Anyone else?
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Well..... I only breastfed LO for a week. So I'd like to think I could handle that much again, if not more, but if I can't I'm going to TRY not to stress about it. I get severe migraines so I need to take meds to survive, especially when I have a newborn and I'm not sleeping because lack of sleep is a huge migraine trigger. Obviously I can't take those meds and breastfeed at the same time, so for me it's just not in the cards. Right when I get that first bad migraine, I'm done. But who knows.... maybe I'll be able to breastfeed #2 longer. I still won't feel bad that LO didn't get as much breast milk though. She's perfectly healthy!
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No way. Instead it is more of a "well I made it once I can make it again" feeling. I guess I'm competitive... But if we go less time whatever. My only hope is the next (if there is one) doesn't have the same issues.
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I used to say that I would only nurse DS for a year. Now I'm thinking I'll go past 2 years like I'm doing for his sister.
We shall see though! It really depends on how long he wants to nurse for. DD still asks for it (only at home) so I'll continue to nurse until she wants to wean. -
No I don't feel that way. If there's one thing I learned from my 7-week hellish struggle with BFing, it's that parenting means being open to changing your approach depending on the child's and parent's needs in the moment. I do hope my next LO takes to the breast more, but I won't be upset if it doesn't work out again. Besides, in your case, I'm pretty sure most of the benefits are conferred in the first 6 months. That's not to say anyone shouldn't nurse as long as they damn well please, but I wouldn't do it out of a fear that one will be sickly if they don't get quite as much breast milk since the research doesn't bear that out.
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@brownie: This is DH's (and mine) biggest fear. From comments made by other FPIES mom's it seems their child after their first FPIES one was worse. Rarely one said they had no issue or milder issues. I'm trying not to tell DH that...
@chopsuey119: I agree it depends on the child. If I am able to I would nurse again until a year and go from there, but I think I would have some guilt stopping. I don't know. I guess we will cross that bridge when we get there.
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No...in fact, I nursed DS until about 15 months...if I have another, I'll start the weaning process at a year. I know the extra benefits, but I remember being so touched out and thinking that I *had* to keep going. Once I weaned, I felt way better. Next time, if there is one, I'll let loose a little more and not feel like everything has to be so regimented.
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No, I'm hoping to nurse future LOs longer. The reason that we quit at 3 months was ultimately LO's gassiness and I'm hoping not to have the same issue with future children.
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I don't know. Good question!
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I hope I can nurse longer! I had to stop at 9 months when my supply dried out from being pregnant. I hope I can make it a year!
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@autumnlove: same here!
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I exclusively pumped for 13 months, and I'm afraid breastfeeding won't work out with my next LO. I can't imagine pumping for over a year while caring for a baby and toddler as a SAHM. I would feel extremely guilty if I can't provide a year of breast milk for my next baby.
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@artbee: this is exactly how i feel! we made it 5 days/pumping for 2 weeks. i was beyond stressed trying to get him to eat, i don't want to end up like that again. i'd like to get at least 2 weeks of BM in LO #2, but if not, i'll be ok with it and not stress. if i works much better, than that's ok too. and i won't feel guilty if #2 gets more/less that #1
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@anbanan15: at least I know now. No milk or soy before next comes and try it slowly. And eliminate before medicate.
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I think if I nursed my first for say 3 months I would want to exceed that for sure with the next, but since I nursed for more of an extended period I feel more obligated (and that might not even be the right word) to go as long.
My friend had trouble nursing her LO. Nursed a few days then pumped but ultimately stopped around 10 days. She just had another LO and didn't even bother trying to nurse. It makes me a little sad because this baby/experience could have been completely different for her.
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@brownie: I'm actually trying to decide what I should eliminate and when (now, 2nd tri, 3rd tri etc). There are too many things for me to eliminate all of them and still feel that I am safely providing enough nutrients to grow a baby. There is also conflicting evidence that eliminating during pregnancy does anything to help prevent/lessen allergies, so I'm not sure where to start. Maybe we should start another thread seeing if any mama's on HB had a similar situation.
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@anbanan15: i keep going back and forth with the same thing as your friend. i HATED BFing...so it's like do i even try, just to feel the same. or try and have a (potentially) different experience. right now i'm say i will try and if it doesn't go right to pumping and not stress so much
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I wouldn't worry about it. Some babies are more into nursing than others and mom's situation/attitude can change so much in that period of time. Ultimately, it's not the be-end- all-end.
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I'm like you, I feel like I should try to do the same. So far ODS at 21 months is at once a day and meanwhile I've started nursing his baby brother. I hope I can stick with as long as I have the second time around as well.
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I feel obligated to breastfeed exclusively for atleast a year & continue offering through the 2nd year. After that I'm okay with each individual munchkin deciding when they're ready to wean.
I nursed my first, G, for 6 weeks & have nursed P 2 weeks shy of a year!
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Sorta... I will want to feed any subsequent children at least a year. I try to make my twins eat the same lol...
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I don't feel obligated, but if Lowly weans before age 5 I won't have my decade. But seriously, I guess I do feel kind of obligated to let her self-wean also since big sister did, but if she doesn't nurse for the same length of time that's cool. They will each have their own journey.
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