[claras_mom]

and I could use some direction, or BTDT.

For direction, links or titles of books would be great. For BTDT, dd1 turned 4 in December; dd2 is a little over two weeks old. Dd1 was down to just a couple times a day (at most) before the baby was born--even skipping some days--but has been in milk heaven the last two weeks. Some of the things on my mind are:

* Supply doesn't seem to be an issue, but are there things to watch out for?
* dd1 is having to work on her latch--it's as if the months with nothing to speak of made it lazy, and she digs in sometimes with her front teeth.

OW.

Other than talking to her about it, and working together to modify, and trying different positions so that she's not pulling on the breast in any way, is there anything I can do?
* I'm still committed to CLW, but I don't really want to be nursing at this intensity when she's 5 or 6...or even this summer. Maybe if the latch issues were resolved, but I dunno. Please tell me it will taper off and that I won't have two girls latched on at the same time forever.

Despite my slight ambivalence, I have to say that there are some lovely things happening. Like when dd1 helps her baby sister latch on... And despite the occasional possessiveness about one side or the other, she does understand that the baby needs the milk more than she does, and shares well.

 

[Mommy2Haley]

I can't answer your questions but I wanted to congratulate you on the birth of your daughter. I also wanted to say I envy you. I don't know if DD will make it all the way to the end of pregnancy before she weans (although with the teething issues we've been having she's nursing 6+ times a night...)

Congrats and enjoy!

 

[Rikki Jean]

Adventures in Tandem Nursing, by Hilary Flower.

I read a lot of this book while sitting on the couch doing lots of tandeming, lol.

When DS2 was born, DS1 (who was 25 months at the time) started to nurse just like a newborn again. I think that it was a combination of wanting to do what the baby was doing, and the fact that I suddenly had a huge supply. On the day that my milk came in, he said, "Mmm, milk, yummy!!!" so he was definitely excited about lots of nursing, lol.

This lasted for a few weeks, but it eventually started to taper. I can't tell you how long, because I really don't remember when it happened, it just did. 17 months later, he's still nursing six-ten times a day (not for long periods, usually), which isn't a lot compared to how much he used to nurse. Sometimes he spends the night at Grandma's and is away for over 24 hours, so he doesn't nurse at all then, and that's fine too. Sorry, I'm rabbit trailing here!

Anyway, I don't have any suggestions for you on the latch thing. That's tough, and I'm sorry you're having to deal with that.

As far as supply goes, personally, I'd just watch the baby like you would any other baby. You'll know if something's not right, kwim? In most cases, it's not going to be an issue; your body is going to produce as much as is demanded of it. Have you had supply issues in the past?

Isn't the bonding just awesome?

It gets cuter in a funny way as they get older. My boys have discovered a "button" to make the other one stop nursing. They have found the spot on my breast that they can push to make the other one unlatch, and they both think that it's hilarious.

Just wait until they are holding hands, having a "who can get their leg on top of the other one's leg" contest, and tickling each other while you're trying to nurse them!

 

[claras_mom]

Thanks! I'll see if I can find the book; or maybe just not worry about it.

I don't have supply issues....plenty of milk. Over the last several days, we've established that dd1 is perfectly capable of a good latch, even if she doesn't always use it. So I gently remind her--or have her unlatch so she can see the teeth marks

: --and she'll apologize and be more mindful. It's getting better.

Four is a strange age--and I mean that in the most loving way possible; I think dd does things sometimes just for the hell of it, even if she knows she'll get called out for it. Boundary pushing anyone? (I'd just rather she not push boundaries that involve sensitive portions of my anatomy, ifkwim.)

 

[IncaMama]

i'm tandemming for the second time now. it's absolutely lovely.

i agree about the sweetness of all of the cute things they'll do while nursing. holding hands, helping the little one latch, playing with hair, it's just plain old lovely. *swoon*

 

[claras_mom]

I'm sorry to say that while there are some lovely things, right now it's more a source of stress. I think that a certain amount of jealousy over the new baby is playing out in the nursing dance. So, for example, dd1 will lay claim to one side or another and throw a fit if I latch her sister onto that side. Having her re-latch the baby most often leads to teeth marks, as she doesn't always bother to unlatch herself first. Stuff.

It will all work out eventually.

The biggest thing now, IMO, is that there are still some major adjustments going on in dd1's heart and mind. She's mercurial, to say the least--had been prior to the baby's birth, but it's gotten worse. I'm trying my damndest to be supportive and loving and all that, but sleep deprivation takes it's toll.