[ElliesMomma]

trying to think where to put this question. i am pregnant, and nursing through it. DD will be 3y5m when the new baby comes. my mom recently asked me about my plans, assuming that i would be weaning DD and that it would cause her resentments. i told her, it would be the opposite, that i will continue to nurse DD, plus her sibling and it will totally help with DD's adjustment to the new baby. my mom had never heard of tandem nursing!

then she questioned whether there would be enough milk, and i stated that the body adjusts to provide more milk when there are two, and that in fact, i should have an easier time with the newborn getting plenty of milk thanks to DD, that DD's strong lack and mature suck will help bring in the milk faster and in more ample quantity. -- tell me, am i correct in this assumption, and what i told my mom?

i am taking all of this on faith, mostly from having read these MDC boards on the subject of tandem nursing, also having read Adventures in Tandem Nursing and other sources.

i had a very hard time getting breastfeeding established with DD, as she had jaundice (a touch of it) in the hospital and they scared me into using formula from the get go. DD had a painful latch that hurt worse than natural childbirth did, for the first 10 weeks. i almost almost quit, but, instead kept at it, and here we are almost three years later, pregnant and still nursing strong.

my main question though - am i correct in assuming that i will have an easier time nursing/getting milk established for the newborn, thanks to DD's continuing to nurse? if the answer is yes, it makes me wonder why anyone who cares about breastfeeding would want to wean during pregnancy. although i have to realize that not everybody has a tough start to breastfeeding like we did, but if i can avoid another rough start, well that would be such a bonus!!

thanks for any insights.

 

[ewe+lamb]

First of all congratulations on your pregnancy - second of all, why doubt yourself? That inner voice is telling you already how competent your body is so be strong and know that this is perfectly possible. However, do be prepared that your dd may wean during pregnancy - you've read Adventures in tandem Nursing which is a very good preparation for you, for me everything in that book was good to know, the positive and the negative!! You're dd will help with the milk supply especially as you had issues the last time, what sort of birth are you planning? Alot of what happens after birth (nursing etc) depends on what sort of birth you have - does that make sense? Anyway, I think that you could really benefit from going to a LLL meeting or two - preparation is the best prevention!! Have a look on the website and find where your local group is. Keep on listening to your instincts - that's the advice I rely on the most and you could maybe reassure your mum by taking her to a meeting with you - it's good for grannies to be surrounded by bfing mothers too, it reassures her that her dd is informed, intelligent and wants and needs the best for her baby.

Good luck.

 

[woodchick]

I nursed through my last pregnancy and am now tandom nursing my almost 3yo and my 5week old.

DD2 had a very easy time breastfeeding she latched on right after birth and hasn't stopped since! The transition for me was easy, I just had to remember how to hold a newborn while nursing instead of a huge toddler!

I haven't had any issues with supply, but I didn't with DD1 either.

And I do think that tandom nursing has helped with DD1's transistion into big sisterhood. She's mostly patient and will wait her turn, but she definitely needs her Mama time. She hasn't seemedd resentfu of the baby at all (which is what my Mom was afraid of as well)

Good luck and congratulations on the new little one!

 

[mommy2two babes]

When I was tandem nursing I had a huge oversupply. I was actually donating milk in addition to nursing my two. Not an issue I had I had with my first.
Also with tandem nursing and DD's strong latch and suck it helped everything go back to normal more quickly. My MW's were shocked how quickly my uterus shrunk back nursing two of them.
DD never had much jealousy and I think that was at least in part due to the continued nursing.

 

[tmareeh]

To answer your main question: Yes, most moms will have plenty of milk for 2 children. Nursing is about supply and demand. Actually, as the pp pointed out, some moms will have problems with oversupply (so watch for this issue in your newborn... i.e. frothy green stools, spitting up, fussiness, etc.).

As to your other question about why everyone doesn't nurse through pregnancy... Some moms find it just plain painful. Some children wean themselves. Some moms find that nursing aggravates other pregnancy-related syptoms like nausea, tiredness, sore breasts, etc.

Everyone has to weigh the pros and cons and make the decision for themselves, but I think you have a good grasp on the reasons why people do tough through it.

Taryn
nursing my 4 1/2 year old and 19 month old

 

[mtchen79]

Definitely enough milk for 2 since when the breast empties or decreases in milk volume, it will simply make more. For me, when DD2 was born, nursing was easier this time around in terms of latching and fewer nipple pains although I still have a "stinging" type sensation with initial letdown, but not nearly as bad with DD1. However, DD2 has a little more difficulty with my strong letdown, she chokes and gags more, as well as spits up more, than DD1 did.

Also, I agree with sibling bonding while tandem nursing. DD1 loves DD2 and enjoys nursing with her. Sometimes I wanted to wean b/c of nipple pain and breastfeeding agitation when I was pregnant, but DD1 wasn't ready nor was I so I'm glad we are still going strong now.