Are you considering breastfeeding, but did not breastfeed with previous children? Are you trying to decide if breastfeeding is worth trying again with another baby, after experiencing breastfeeding challenges before? Read to learn more about how breastfeeding may be different for you this time around.
When I conducted a research study on breastfeeding support exchanged on social media, my initial study population was first-time moms. After recruiting from multiple Facebook breastfeeding support groups, I was contacted by a few moms who wanted to participate in my study but were disqualified based on the study criteria. These moms were not first-time moms, but it was their first-time breastfeeding. Since breastfeeding remains the gold standard for infant feeding, it was encouraging to see moms breastfeeding who decided not to breastfeed previous children or who experienced barriers and ended breastfeeding early. My exchanges with these moms opened up a new set of questions to explore, like “What led to their decision to breastfeed with the second child after not breastfeeding their previous child (or children)?” and “How would they experience breastfeeding as second-time moms and first-time breastfeeding moms?”
Breastfeeding is the Gold Standard for Infant feeding, but sometimes moms experience challenges.
We always say that breastfeeding is natural but it is a learned skill. Some moms who intend to breastfeed are not able to successfully initiate breastfeeding or end breastfeeding earlier than desired due to a variety of barriers, such as difficulty with latching or pain, perceived low milk production, lack of social support, or returning to work early. If you did not breastfeed with a previous child and you are wondering if it is worth trying with another child, the answer is absolutely yes if it is what you desire.
Breastfeeding may be easier for you with your second baby
Of course, breastfeeding has a myriad of benefits for moms and their babies, but you may also find it easier to breastfeed with your second baby. In one study by Ingram et al. (2001), researchers measured breastmilk output in 22 mothers at 1 week and 4 weeks after giving birth to their first and second babies. The study participants produced significantly more breastmilk at 1 week for the second lactation. Of note, mothers who who had the lowest breastmilk output for their first child, experienced the highest net increase in breastmilk output the second time. With their second babies, the mothers also experienced a significant decrease in overall time spent breastfeeding in a day, totaling a cut of about an hour per day (reclaiming our time while increasing our breast milk output is a win, win.)
If you decide to breastfeed after not breastfeeding with a previous baby, or if you experienced challenges breastfeeding before that led to ending earlier than desired, we recommend you take steps to prepare for breastfeeding. With preparation, you will feel more confident and have the tools and resources to address any challenges that may arise.
Resources to Prepare for Breastfeeding
You can find an online prenatal breastfeeding education class taught by lactation professionals on our platform, bEarth Work.
Check out our resource “Preparing for Breastfeeding”.
References
Ingram J, Woolridge M, Greenwood R. Breastfeeding: it is worth trying with the second baby. Lancet. 2001 Sep 22;358(9286):986-7. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(01)06126-8. PMID: 11583756.
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