Breast feeding 3rd with 3 u 3

[number3]

How the heck? My husband goes back to work in a few weeks - trying to figure out how to breast feed / keep a pumping schedule for my 2 month old with a 3 and 1-1/2 year old.

 

[llopez88]

@number3 Once you and baby can navigate nursing in the carrier, you’ll level up. Until then, everyone gets in the baby corral with you while you nurse or pump. This is also definitely a time to give yourself some extra grace when it comes to screen time and junky snacks.

 

[jack871]

@llopez88 9 months pregnant with third baby and have a 3.5 and 2 year old. Is there a carrier you recommend for nursing?

 

[lucsch]

@jack871 I’m not who you asked but I have the exact same age gaps and nurse in my ergobaby Omni 360 all the time, it’s great. Used it with my 2nd as well

 

[airamerica]

@number3 We turned it into feeding and story time so the older ones looked forward to it. I would read a story then my 3-year-old would turn the pages and read a story for the little one making it up as they go. Collect easy reach snacks for the day and have a snack together while I breastfed. I made the older ones feel like they were helping

 

[getonyourfeetmusic]

@number3 I'd reserve pumping for before they get up, nap time, and after bedtime if you can.

I'd also create a baby proofed area in your home where everyone can hang out together baby eats. For me, when mine were 3u3 it was downstairs with a bunch of toys. This time I'm trying to set up a large baby gate that will keep me and my 4u4 trapped in the livingroom so we don't need to do stairs at any point haha

 

[roguefriar]

@number3 Mine weren’t quite that close in age but I did breastfeed all 4. But I didn’t pump too, well I didn’t after my first anyway. But I became a pro at popping baby on while we chilled on the floor or yes, used tv to occupy them so I could sit down for a few. I missed the long, luxurious nursing sessions I had with only 1 kid, but each time we got it done. (I nursed each of the 4 for 15-18 months with no formula and they’re between 23-28 months apart.)

 

[lucsch]

@roguefriar That’s how I did it too! Only 3 kids so far though. I think breastfeeding is actually easier than formula with so many little kids because you don’t have to deal with bottles. I’m not sure why OP is needing to pump

 

[number3]

@lucsch He was born a few weeks early and was a "lazy eater" so nurses had me pump to bring in milk in beginning and he didn't eat as much as I was producing so I kept up with it to prevent over engourgment. But also on top of that the convenience of my husband or someone else being able to feed so I can sleep or spend quality time with the older two has been a lifesaver. The older two try to be on my lap while I have / feed new baby eye roll the special toys and snacks are worth a try. Are/ were you guys nursing on demand? I'm struggling with that since it's every couple hours from anywhere of 10 min to 1-1/2 hours...a 3 and 1-1/2 year olds attention to toys and snacks doesn't last long...lol

 

[lucsch]

@number3 Ah ok makes sense. I would only pump to relieve the pressure, any more and you’re just encouraging/keeping up an oversupply. Having someone else feed the baby is definitely nice but I’ve always pumped whenever baby ate to keep up my supply. I do nurse on demand but it’s always been every 2.5-3 hours with all 3 kids. I typically try other things to soothe baby before feeding though, I think a lot of people accidentally mistake other cues for hunger cues. They’ve all done best eating like that rather than cluster feeding. This was what the NICU encouraged when our last was there as well. I also cut baby off at half an hour. If it’s going longer than that they are just snacking. Doing this in the beginning is what leads them to eating more after longer intervals I think.

 

[number3]

@lucsch Thank you for sharing, this is helpful

 

[roguefriar]

@lucsch I agree! I never worried about ounces or sterilizing bottles or anything like that. Just whipped it out and got it done haha Side lying on the floor on a blanket while kids crawled and played around was best case.

 

[anushagupta]

@number3 Are you pumping because you need to for supply reasons? If not, I would nix the pumping during the day while it’s just you and the kids, and save it for weekends/after work when you have a second set of hands.

Some people do a little basket of toys that are only accessible while you’re nursing the baby, which gives them some novelty - this didn’t work for me because it led to a meltdown when I took them away, but a lot of people swear by this method.

Honestly though, my realistic recommendation for those ages is just quick spurts of screen time while you breastfeed. My kid is into videos of trains and garbage trucks (like literal compilations, there’s a bunch on youtube) which is nice because it can be paused and picked back up easily at any time.

As your baby gets older and becomes a more efficient eater/eats less frequently, it will get easier!

 

[jesus_is_our_lord]

@anushagupta The special toys is a great idea. Maybe even include a few of their less eaten favorite snacks to add to the excitement and set them up with them beforehand. I know that people say less screen time but the first few months are just survival, you put it on and everyone is fed and content and they’ll be fine. My toddler likes David Attenborough and it’s relaxing when I’m stressed lol