newbie questions about tandem nursing

[mckittre]

OK, so I'm the proud mom of a 2 day old baby, and a nearly 23 month old that's still nursing quite a bit.  Do I have to worry about the toddler getting all the milk (still colostrum at this point) that's meant for the baby?  He has a lot more sucking power, so I worry he'll empty me out?  And they don't have any sort of reliable schedule, so when he asks for nursing, I don't know how long it will before the little one wants more.  But I also don't want to cut him off too much, I'd rather make this transition to having a new sibling as easy as possible for him.

[Marissamom]

I haven't gotten there yet, but I would just count wets and poopies if you're worried about it. LOs don't need much at all in the first few days of life, some don't nurse much at all until after mom's milk comes in with no negative effect. 

[memz]

Here is a link from kellymom answering this very question http://www.kellymom.com/nursingtwo/faq/07bflimits.html 

[stambason]

What about using one breast for each baby.  You could switch each feeding.  This is what I do for twins and it works well. By switching breasts each feeding you won't have the problem of one breast being significantly larger than the other.

[gigismom]

i remember having the same concerns over 3 years ago when my ds was born and dd2 was nursing.   I tried hard to make sure baby had first dibs and to switch back and forth to build my supply equally.  I watched the diapers to make sure he was getting enough.  Your supply will adjust very quickly to meet everybody's needs.   My dd2 got soooo chubby right after her brother was born!  I guess all that high fat newborn milk.   Pleasant memories of a somewhat challenging time of my life.  It is nice to look back and smile.  Enjoy your babies!  jen 

[mckittre]

Thanks!  Two weeks into it, I think I've got enough milk for both of them now, so I'm not so worried about that part anymore.  And my toddler could use some more chub.

But how do I get the toddler not to be jealous of the little one?  Logistically, I can't see how to nurse both at once.  It's hard to get the newborn positioned right and then pick up the toddler, and it's also hard to do it in reverse.  If I do manage to get both of them on me, the toddler complains that his little sister is in the way and that he doesn't like her feet on him.  So I have to do one at a time.  Which means I deny/distract the toddler lots, because I just can't spend so much time nursing! 

[jillkleinpeter]

i dont know if it works in tandem but my friend used the foot ball hold with her twins and if one complained the had to take a break

[averlee]

I was a wet nurse and tandemed my daughter along with a smaller boy. Usually, I'd position the baby first, then just sorta let my daughter fend for herself- I'd sorta plop out my breast and tell her "if you want it get on there". But she never complained, usually they would hug/hold each other while they nursed together.

[coltynsmom]

Originally Posted by averlee 

I was a wet nurse and tandemed my daughter along with a smaller boy. Usually, I'd position the baby first, then just sorta let my daughter fend for herself- I'd sorta plop out my breast and tell her "if you want it get on there". But she never complained, usually they would hug/hold each other while they nursed together.

My sons did the same thing. ds1 is 23 months older than ds2. i would put babe on then tell the older one to climb up and he would figure it out from there. He was jealous at first too but it didnt last long. now they stroke each others arms and sometimes hold hands. my heart melts :-)