Tandem Nursing? I Need Advice!!

[shockels]

This is something I know NOTHING about. I've never read about it because it hasn't applied to me yet. Now I have a 14 month old who I cannot imagine weaning anytime soon. She'll be 22 months when the baby comes.

So how does it work? Do you feed the baby first because they are a priority in terms of getting nutrients at that point? What if DD1 takes all the milk in a nursing and then the baby doesn't have any? Will DD1 want to nurse every time she sees the baby nursing? I really hope DD1 will be night weaned by then. Won't my milk be changed in consistency when the baby comes?

Ahhh as you can see I'm clueless. Any help, links, book suggestions would be fabulous.

[todavia]

sorry, no firsthand advice to give but here is a link to LLL's info on tandem nursing. HTH

[AllyRae]

I nursed Brandon through my entire pregnancy with Ry, and he's still nursing, so I'm doing another pregnancy while nursing. Of course, I didn't get to tandem, but I did read a fantastic book--Adventures in Tandem Nursing. It's wonderful!

[shockels]

Thanks Ally...I will definitely check out that title from my library.

[Jilian]

I agree that you should contact LLL, my local chapter had at least 3 tandem nursing mamas. Some LLL's even having nursing toddler meetings (and you'll find tandem nursing mamas all over the place there!). I've heard that "Adventures in Tandem Nursing" is a great book too. A friend of mine (who went on to tandem nurse) highly reccomends it.

I'm sure you'll find some online support on the extended nursing forum on this site.

[Kdybs]

Just as a question in the same vien- have any of your nurslings been on the breast a lot recently? My 17 month old dd has been nursing for hours on end. I plan on getting Adventures in Tandem Nursing but haven't been able to get it yet.

[saratchka]

Originally Posted by Kdybs

Just as a question in the same vien- have any of your nurslings been on the breast a lot recently? My 17 month old dd has been nursing for hours on end. I plan on getting Adventures in Tandem Nursing but haven't been able to get it yet.

OMG yes! My 16 month old DD has been nursing like crazy. She was literally latched on for 75 minutes straight this afternoon. I think that's more than twice her previous record. I haven't done much reading yet, but I assume I've had a dip in supply and she's trying to get it back up again. I've been eating a double bowl of oatmeal every morning and trying hard to stay well hydrated. Hopefully she'll be able to get what she wants soon...

I think I'm going to go order Adventures in Tandem Nursing right now.

[holliq]

I also have a 13 month old son who is still nursing, although he is only nursing four times a day. He still nurses twice at night, which would be difficult to deal with. I am still getting a faint positive, I 'll retest this weekend and go to my ob next week if I'm still getting a faint positive. My oldest son self-weaned during my second pregnancy so tandem nursing would be new to me also.

[holliq]

I also have a 13 month old who is still nursing. He only nurses four times a day, but he still nurses twice at night. That would be difficult to deal with, with a new baby in the house. I am still getting a faint positive. I'll retest this weekend and go to my OB next week.

Sorry didn't mean to post twice. I lost my connection and I wasn't sure it had posted.

[Ks Mama]

No advice, but I'm in the same boat! Just took my test this morning & was positive! DD is 24 months now & nurses night & day.... loves her milk! I'm planning on reading Adventures in Tandem Nursing. I have another book by Hillary Flower - Adventures in Gentle Discipline, which I like very much... so I'm looking forward to reading this one.

Good luck & happy nursing!!

[mataji4]

When I first got pregnant with my 2nd and then 3rd kids, my toddlers were still nursing and it was my intention to tandem nurse them...but man, by a couple months pregnant my nipples were just SO sensitive when I nursed that I'd hunch over and cringe during nursing, and I realized I just wasn't enjoying the time nursing them anymore! So I weaned them within a week each, first they could "cuddle" the breast (my son said "i hold it.), then we moved onto just cuddling in my lap before bedtimes. It went smoothly both times so that was a relief!

Good luck nursing- your kids are a little younger than mine were when I got pregnant with babies, so they probably are more attached...aw, sweet little nurslings!

[shockels]

matji...that is so cute about your son. What a sweetie. I am hoping that Adelaide will nurse easily all through pregnancy, and then by the time the babe comes, she just won't be nursing as frequently and it will all work out somehow. Is crossing your fingers the same as an informed plan? *sigh*

[Shell_Ell]

I think it also helps to have a care provider who is familiar with nursing through pregnancy.

My son will be 21 months when this baby comes, so I'm in the same boat.

[knittinclothmama]

Hi! I 'might' be pg and I have a 5 month old that is exclusively BF and I do not want to wean her anytime soon. So I'm hoping that 'if' I am pg I can nurse her through my pg. And she has been nursing a ton in the last week or so, ever since I've been having pg symptoms....... I'll have to check out the book recommendation!!

[sally Z]

i am also a pregant BFing mom, my dd is 24 months and has become so clingy the last few weeks. She used to only nurse before her nap, before bed and maybe once at night but now she would be latched all day if i let her. My friend says kids know before we do that we are pregnant and they get clingy. Anyone else have a clingy child?

[Ks Mama]

Welcome to the club!

Can't believe I forgot that I already posted on this thread! Anyhow, I repeated myself, and added more info, gosh I'm a nerd. Enjoy!

Don't have any advice yet... this is my second baby, and my first, 24 months, is still nursing strong, night & day! I ordered "Adventures in Tandem Nursing" by Hilary Flower. I love her discipline book, so I'm hoping this book will be good too!

Please check out Kellymom.com, they are a great resource:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/tandem/index.html

Also, Hilary Flower has a site as well, and will answer emails!
http://nursingtwo.kellymom.com/

Finally, there is a bit on tandem nursing, and a lot on nursing in general in the LLL book, "Motherly Art of Breastfeeding"

Keep me posted on how things are going for you. I really am HOPING my milk doesn't give out, and "force" DD into weaning. I'm thinking positively & planning on the joy of nursing two babies!

[ericswifey27]

My son turns 3in December, so I really envisioned him not being interested in nursing as much at this age, but I was wrong about that! I have a feeling he will want to continue, especially as he sorts out his feelings about becoming a big brother.

So I am tentatively joining the Future Tandem Nurser club...