Breastfeeding:Tandem Nursing

Do I need to stop nursing my toddler now that I am expecting a new baby?

Tandem nursing occurs when a woman breastfeeds two or more children of different ages. Many women wonder how they will continue to nurse their infant or young toddler when another baby is expected to arrive. Tandem nursing allows the older child to continue nursing and the new baby to begin nursing. A mother that is consuming enough calories and getting adequate nutrition can safely nurse more than one child at a time.

Many women wonder how they can nurse more than one child. The answer will depend on what system works best for the mother and child(ren). WIll you nurse them simultaneously? WIll you encourage the older child to wait until the baby is finished? Some women say that it is easier to nurse both children at the same time, while others feel it makes nursing harder. It is best to try it out and see what works for you and your children.

BENEFITS OF TANDEM NURSING

Continued nutrition for an older infant or toddler. Breastmilk provides immune system boosting vitamins no matter what age. Picky eaters will continue to consume necessary vitamins and minerals from the mother's breastmilk.
Lowers the mother's risk for breast cancer. The chances of breast cancer decrease as the length of breastfeeding increases.
Comfort and security increases among the children. An older child is less likely to feel left out or jealous after the birth of a new baby if he is not forced to stop nursing because of the new arrival.
Reduced or absent breast engorgement after the new baby is born. Because the older sibling is still nursing, the breasts do not become excessively full.

DRAWBACKS OF TANDEM NURSING:

Ensuring that all children are receiving proper amounts of milk. Some women find it easier to assign a breast to a child, while others allow the youngest child to nurse first. Because breastfeeding works on a supply vs. demand system, the more demand there is, the more the body will produce.
Explaining to the older child. This can be the hard part. Because the older child(ren) have been able to nurse as they please, it may be difficult explaining to them that the new baby needs to be nursed.

Comments: Breastfeeding - Tandem-Nursing

Comments 1 to 19 of about 19.
1

WhispyWillow - 241 days ago.
I am probably going to be tandem nursing it looks like.. I am pregnant with bean #3, and still nursing 18 month old DS. I am sort of hoping he will wean before bean arrives, but if not, I will manage with Tandem nursing.

tashitash - 539 days ago.
Hi ktbbaby! I just had my third baby 9 days ago and am tandem nursing him and my 15 month old daughter, who I nursed throughout the pregnancy. I also nursed my older daughter through my second pregnancy. Expet your milk supply to decrease as your pregnancy progresses. It will eventually change back to colostrum during the third trmester, possibly before that, and may mean your child isn't as interested in nursing (the taste changes). Congratulations on your pregnancy and best of luck wth everything! :)

ktbbaby - 539 days ago.
Whoops! The mesage box is unreadable for all the advertising. SOrry foor typos...can't see the words. Anyway, I am newly pregnant and still bf my daughter. just wanted to see if anyone lately is in the same boat.

ktbbaby - 539 days ago.
Hi

jennni - 767 days ago.
Wow 6 TH baby! Way to go! Looks like were the only ones on this forum lol

jennni - 767 days ago.
I'm 6 weeks pregnant and nursing my 7 month old. I too have noticed a drop in my milk production. I try to drink lots of water. Anyone with any tips on this or how to get lots of nutrients in a day? Obviously eat properly but maybe someone knows of some safe super food out there for us? :)

7thbaby - 767 days ago.
I am nursing my 15 month old and I am 12 weeks pregnant with baby #6.

andy21 - 1029 days ago.
i am 6 weeks pregnant and i am still breastfeeding my 9 month old son. i will continue to nurse him during my pregnancy and possibly tandem nurse if he chooses to still nurse at that time. i have noticed that my milk supply had dropped a bit but it had dropped before i was pregnant anyways. i need to boost my supply up! any ideas or tips??

sagex2 - 1217 days ago.
I am 5 weeks pregnant and I have an 8 month old. I am going to continue nursing and then both if she is still nursing. Does your supply really drop in the second trimester?

military~mommy - 1223 days ago.
babygalge~ There is no reason for you to stop nursing. Some old school nurses might tell you it can cause pre-term labor, but new studies show that you get stronger contractions from sneezing and sex than from nursing. So there is no medical reason for you to wean your son. Good Luck!

babygalge2 - 1223 days ago.
Do I needto stop nursing durning my pregnancy?? My son had started eatting fairly well from the table and drinking from a cup but suddenly he's not having it. He is 15 months now and is very vocal about wantting his nip-nip...lol But I am 21 weeks preg and everyone is freaking out about me nursing...HELP ME

happymummy - 1319 days ago.
Hi. I am 9 weeks pregnant with a 16 month old who still wants to nurse. I am committed to nursing throughout pregnancy and to tandem nursing if my son is not ready to self-wean by the time number 2 comes along. My problem is that since I got pregnant my milk supply has seriously dropped. I am very sad about this. Does anyone have any tips to increase it? I have been really nauseous (not actually vomitting but struggling to swallow) so I know my intake is insufficient for my toddler and the pregnancy. Should I start to eat cheese and chocolate and butter to increase my calories? Will this make my milk come back? My toddler is waking in the night for the last 10 days and I wonder if this is a reaction to the lack of breast milk. I am giving him other milk to make up for the shortfall but he loves the actual act of nursing too and seems to want to suck even if not much is coming out. Thanks in advance for your advice.

louisec - 1329 days ago.
Great , im not the only one , im 3 months pregnant and i have a 5 month old and still breast feeding. i must have ovulated straight after the 6 wk lochia, unbelievable, regular periods straight away and im 44 too

Bri - 1348 days ago.
CarolineTx24 - Your doctor shouldn't 'freak out.' Ok so many doctors say that you should wait at least 18months to get pregnant again just because your body needs time to heal but she shouldn't say anything about breastfeeding. I'm pregnant and my son just self weaned at 21months. When I was at my 1st prenatal I told her that I was still breastfeeding and she said 'Good, it's healthy for the both of you.' There are new studies that say that it is healthy and do not stop. Many old school doctors will still say that you need to stop immediately but it's not true. I know plenty of people that have breastfed throughout their entire pregnancy and went on to tandem nurse without any complications. Congrats on the new one and the next one on the way.

CarolineTx24 - 1348 days ago.
Well I have a 4.5 month old and found out last sunday I am pregnant. I heard if you go throughout the night w/out nursing it can stimulate ovulation. I am nursing my 4.5 mnth old exclusively and pregnant...Im sure my doc will probably freak out at my 1st prenatal visit.

cherryzz - 1520 days ago.
SO Im pregnant. My daughter is 5 1/2 months old. ANd Im breastfeeding.. Oh man..

kungfu-ronin - 1589 days ago.
this is so hard!! my 16 month old wont give up the breast and i am 4 months pregnant! help!

aprilraine - 1646 days ago.
have you gotten your period back yet ilyrpz?

ilyrpz143ilyenz - 1646 days ago.
Anyone have tips on how to get pregnant while nursing....My son is 11 weeks old but ive wanted to get pregnant again since he was 4 weeks old and still nothing. I mean i love this little guy and will continue to bf him when im pregnant and once baby is born but i can do that till im pregnant. Help any tips?????