You asked and you shall now receive. It’s only fair for us to share all of this stored up knowledge about a baby and what happens once the baby is born until they are no longer called a baby, but a toddler! We will now answer, in a very public forum, all of those burning questions about babies and those first 12 months. Monthly, we will tackle a commonly-asked-question from the point of view of a new parent. Chiming in to give her feedback will be an expert who has been there and done that, as well as has oodles of professional experience with babies. Earmark, share and add your own input to today’s question; it’s good karma.
Is Breastfeeding easier the second or third time around?
1. First of all, you are much more experienced and seasoned about breastfeeding. You understand the time and commitment it takes to breastfeed. You have a knowledge and understanding of breastfeeding that you did not have as a new mother the first time around.
2. Usually the second and third deliveries have shorter labor time and faster recovery time. This enables you to start breastfeeding feeling much better physically and have more energy earlier post delivery.
3. You produce more milk secondary to having developed more glandular tissue, having had more than one pregnancy. Being able to produce more milk makes you less anxious about whether your baby is getting enough milk, so you can relax. You are less anxious about whether baby is getting enough nutrition and milk.
4. You have a knowledge and understanding about how breastfeeding works and know when breastfeeding is successful or when there are problems. Most probably you had a lactation consultant with your first baby, whom you learned gave you a lot of confidence. You are also willing to reach out if you need help if breastfeeding is not going well. Knowing how helpful a lactation specialist is, you will have no trouble seeking help from a lactation consultant if you need to.
5. Breastfeeding is less painful with second or third babies. Nipple soreness is a major problem, especially for new mothers. For some reason, second and third time around mothers either do not have nipple soreness or it does not last as long.
6. You are more confident and care much less about what your family thinks about your breastfeeding. As a new mother, the first time around you are usually very sensitive to relative’s opinions about breastfeeding and their advice. The second and third time around as mother, you are much more confident and are able to ignore family members’ opinions and judgments about your breastfeeding – and confidently do what is best for your baby and yourself.
7. You are more comfortable breastfeeding around others and in public. You no longer feel you have to hide as previously, when you felt uncomfortable breastfeeding except in private.
8. You are not easily influenced by “advice” about breastfeeding. You are relaxed to know that if you have to supplement with formula, for example, your baby will be fine. You do not have the same pressure to exclusively breastfeed.
9. You understand and are able to obtain the best accessories for breastfeeding, since you already have experience with it. You now what, for instance, is the best pump for you. You have a huge knowledge base when it comes to breastfeeding that you did not have with your first.
10. You can advocate and assert for your needs in terms of your breastfeeding. If you return to work, you are able to request and require breaks to pump without feeling guilty.
11. You are much more relaxed as a second or third-time mother. You have knowledge, confidence and self-assurance about not only breastfeeding, but also yourself as a mother.
Expert: Dr. Gina Lamb – Amato MD
Gina is a general pediatrician and developmental pediatrician who works at Village Pediatrics and Agho Medical practices both in Manhattan, NY. She has a masters in child therapy and works with a child psychologist Rosa Vasquez PhD performing office and home consultation for newborns and parents, office and home developmental assessments, school consultations and parent child playgroups where play and art along with baby massage and other techniques are used to help parents bond and support their child’s development. Formerly, Gina was the Director of Pediatric Special Medical Needs before she went into private practice where she cared for medically fragile infants and children. She is also a Early Intervention Pediatrician for Early Intervention which assesses and treats infants from age zero to 3 years. She has extensive experience in Early Head Start programs which work with infants from prenatal to 3 years of age. She is the mother of a beautiful daughter who is 3 years old and the joy of my life. Her husband is an artist, producer and owns Synchronicity Space, a non-profit arts organization that supports emerging artist in fine art and theatre. Finally, she is also an artist who paints mainly babies and children.
Comments are closed.