I have been working in a pediatric office counseling breastfeeding moms for
the past 4 1/2yrs.  I meet with the parents prenatally, then on day 3 or 4
after birth and until their baby is back up to birth weight.  In the last 2
months I have come across the following situation several times; the mother
has successfully breastfed her first infant for 12 to 18 mos., then with the
birth  of her second baby she decides that it isn't fair to the first child
to breastfeed the 2nd????  She will say "My 2yr old needs so much of my time
that it is not fair to him to spend so much time feeding the baby" or "I know
I breastfed my first for 18 mos. but I don't see how I can do this with the
2nd".  In these instances we ended up with a formula fed baby by the 4th
week. I try to give them ideas about how to include the older sibling in the
care of the baby, having special one-on-one time with mom and dad, etc. and
 stress the importance of having help when the new baby comes home and how it
will get easier once we get past the 1st couple of weeks.  One family whose
older child had her1st ear inf. at 19mos, (one month after she weaned), found
themselves with the 2nd child having her 1st ear infection at 3 weeks!!!   I
find myself greiving for the 2nd child and their lost bfg experience.
 Suggestions?  Thanks to all.  Karin Y. DiSanto, LC