Stressing about breastfeeding - baby 2?

With my first daughter I had an awful time of breastfeeding. It took eight straight weeks of agony before we got it right and then things went swimmingly. However, I can tell you that I approached nursing daughter #2 with a fair amount of trepidation because I didn't know if I'd have to go through the same issues again.

Do you know what? We had absolutely no issues with Daughter #2. Breastfeeding went so well and it was so nice.

Now five years have passed since I had my second daughter and I am due with Daughter #3 in a mere eight days. I am a little nervous about breastfeeding again simply because some factors have changed (scheduled c-section, concerned about my milk coming in okay) and because well, it's a new baby and every child is different.

Still, I'm taking stock in the fact that I got past eight weeks of honest to goodness pure agony with the first one and we had a great nursing relationship. With the second everything went well enough despite the fact that I was nervous. I have to believe that this time, again, we'll pull through.

It sounds that although you had issues the first time, like me, you are going persevere. If you're very nervous, contact a Lactation Consultant so that there will be someone there to guide you when you do those first few latch ons. I do think it's TOTALLY normal to be nervous when it comes down to baby #2, or 3 or 4...like I said, every baby is different and you're also probably a little nervous about adding another person into your life.

Bless, my dear. I know you're going to do great.

you sound pretty smart..already got your answers to your own questions! i think you are dwelling too much on breastfeeding. like you said every baby is different. and if you went 15 months the first time..then you're obviously a motivated,determined mom. i nursed my oldest for 2 years and im still nursing my 9 month old. it seems to me you will nurse this baby with success! you are probably just nervous about going thru it all again but you'll do fine, everything will fall into place and this breastfeeding experience will be unique in its own way! good luck and try to find something else to fret over,lol.

Ok the anxiety is probably the biggest. Find someone to talk to - maybe talk to a breastfeeding councillor now rather than after the birth when you're stressed and physically drained...

Breastfeeding is best (and cheaper) when you can and you have been successful before which means you can again.

Look, give it your best shot, get help early and try feeding as long as possible. Enlist your partner to help you...

Please do whatever is best for you. A stressed Mum is no good for the baby. My DIL breastfed her first and hated it, she had dreadfully sore breasts. So for the second she bottle fed. Both herself and baby were happy. I bottle fed 36 years ago we were encouraged to, and only a few breastfed. We also fed solids at 4 months. The generation of 30 somethings now are just as healthy as those younger.

I have no doubt that you will not experience the same problems with this coming baby, but you do seem to have developed an aversion to breast feeding.

I'm wondering whether you could talk to a Hypnotist (don't laugh, it works for people who want to stop smoking, or have a fear of spiders or flying). They are usually listed in the phone book and might be helpful. I went to one years ago who helped me lose weight.

The hypnotist talks to you and gets you to relax and gets you to be able to cope with your fear or concern. When I went, he gave me a tape of our session which I could listen to whenever I wanted, it reinforced the work her had done in his office.