5 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Breastfeeding Three Kids

1. Take a prenatal breastfeeding class: You probably took a prenatal breastfeeding class with your first baby, but did you know most parents find them to be very helpful with subsequent babies as well? Even though you may be an experienced breastfeeding parent, each baby is different – and each breastfeeding experience can be different. In a prenatal breastfeeding class, you’ll typically review the stages of lactation, signs of transfer, latch and positioning, common concerns, pumping and bottle-feeding, and supplies. 

2. Schedule a prenatal consultation with an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant): Meeting with a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) for a prenatal lactation consultation maximizes your chances of meeting your feeding goals. In a prenatal lactation consult you will typically review your lactation history, feeding challenges you experienced in the past, your medical history, supplies, answer questions, and create a plan for support. If the Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is new to you, it also gives you a chance to get to know the Lactation Consultant, and to get a feel for whether they are a good fit for you. If you had difficulty feeding in the past, this is a great time to talk to your Lactation Consultant about how you’ll avoid those issues this time around. You may also ask about how to navigate breastfeeding an infant while also taking care of older children. Often, your insurance will cover part or all of the cost of a lactation consultation. The Lactation Network is the easiest way to check your insurance coverage and arrange a time to meet with a Lactation Consultant. It is free to check your insurance and get matched with a Lactation Consultant through The Lactation Network.  

3. Talk to you partner / support network about feeding goals: Sharing your feeding goals and creating open communication around the feeding plan help to ensure a smoother newborn period. Discuss how long you’d like to breastfeed, when you’ll introduce a bottle, how night-time feeds work, how each person will get rest/sleep, and what you need for support. It’s important to revisit this with each baby. Your feeding goals may change with each baby, and your partner / support network may make assumptions based on your past experiences unless you take the time to have the conversation.

4. Coordinate support in advance: Decide in advance what support you’ll need. Support needs may be different from when you had your first baby. Do you need help during the day when you’re taking care of multiple children? Or do you need nighttime help? Balancing feeding your baby, recovering from birth, and making sure your other children are cared for can feel like a lot. Do you have local friends or family? Have you considered hiring a postpartum doula?  Pre-planning will make the first few weeks less stressful.

5. Create a plan in advance for feeding when your older children are present: Depending on the age of your older children, you may find your older child more “demanding” of your attention when you breastfeed your baby. This is especially true if the older child is a toddler. Some parents find it helpful to invite the older child to sit next to them while breastfeeding, and offer them a snack or a new / special toy. As the newborn gets more skilled at breastfeeding, you may be able to read a book to your toddler while feeding. If the child is older, you may find they are more willing to give you feeding time with the baby if they know they’ll get time with you later. Consider setting aside one-on-one time with your older child daily – even if it’s only a few minutes. Some parents find that being the parent who continues to do a certain part of the routine (bath, bedtime) helps the older child accept sharing you with the new baby – and makes breastfeeding easier.