So tell me about tandem feeding ;)

I'm about to tell my parents that we are expecting #2. I am bracing myself for the whole "well you have to stop feeding ds before this baby comes" comments. I dont know anything about tandem feeding really except for the little bits i have read here and there. I dont even know if i will still be feeding ds when this little one arrives but i guess what i need right now is a little bit of info so i can educate my family that its a done thing.

Would anyone mind sharing their experiences with me? Also which baby do you feed first - i would have thought the newborn (but could be wrong lol). Does your toddler just feed cause the other one is doing it? When does the milk change back to colostrum? i guess just give me what you've got!

Thanksxxxx

Hugs hun I am currently tandam feeding a 19 month old and a newborn.

Its VERY hard work and tiring and I have many time I have thought about stopping DS1, but he really enjoys it and so do I most times.

DS1 wasn't feeding much pre DS2 birth so milk must have stopped to an extent but after DS2 birth he has really demanded it a lot. It gets hard when DS2 is feeding in side 1 and I dont like to feed DS1 till DS2 has finished side 1. He gets upset if asked to wait and also climbs up onto me and trys to attach from all angles. He lifts my top pulls down my bra and puts my arm behind him its very cute.

I feed DS2 first at least 1 side before DS1 and even when DS2 is asleep if I sit down on couch DS1 wants a feed.

The milk does change so that newborn gets cholstrum, during pregnancy some kids will wean themselves and others wont.

Good luck with it I get comments from people that I shouldn't be feeding DS1 as he is too old and also had DH tell me I should stop when preg as not good for baby, (mil told him) I sent him links to ABA articles.

Congratulations hun.

I know how you feel with regard to your parents. My mum also told me that I'd have to wean DS1 when I was pg again. I just told her that no, there was no reason to wean and left it at that. Of course, it is easier over the phone. I hope your parents surprise you with their response.

I never got to tandem feed as DS1 decided to self-wean when I was 4 1/2 months pg. Milk supply does drop during pg and some little ones feed through it and others, like my DS, don't. The milk can change to colostrum at any time in the 3rd trimester, and sometimes earlier. This is still fine for your toddler - actually it's very good for him. Sometimes their poos go runnier again at this time and that's nothing to worry about. Tandem feeding can work any number of ways, but yes, mostly the newborn feeds first. Some clever mums manage to feed two at once, but I think that would be after the baby is a bit bigger.

There are two huge advantages to tandem feeding - the toddler can help ease your engorgement in the early days, and this can be a great way for the siblings to bond, and the toddler to receive comfort at a confusing time.

All the best hun, and wishing you a H&H pg.

feeb, I'd suggest popping along to your local ABA meeting. If you find a group in your area there's sure to be Mums who have tandem fed or at least a counsellor who can talk to you about this. I knew nothing about tandem feeding until I went along to my local group and there were several Mums who did this. Made it all seem totally natural and normal and answered a lot of questions as to how it worked for each of them.

Congrats on your pg and GL with your tandem-feeding journey (if it happens!).

thank you ladies. I told them last night (well one half of the family anyway - the others we will tell next week when we see them) and they actually suprised me by not saying anything at all about it! My dad get a bit funny about the feeding thing and pretends that i dont do it :rofl: but i did expect something from my step mum. My mother on the other hand will definately have something to say so i appreciate all your advice.

Feeb - congrats on tandem feeding, i must have my head in the sand as i didnt realise or i probably whould have sent you a pm :) You ds sounds very cute though when he wants to have some too.

MantaRay - much appreciate you imput too, you always steer me in the right direction. I have found already that my supply has dropped so i dont know for how much longer ds will be happy to feed. It is also getting really painful to feed somedays which has me feeling not so happy. Thanks for the heads up about the poos and colostrum ;)

Jennifer - I have looked up the ABA website and found a group in my area. Also found lots of good reading so thank you also.

I was planning on tandem feeding my son however my second son was stillborn. I was SOOOOO glad I hadn't weaned though, because when I had nothing to give physically or emotionally, my son could sit in my lap and have booby. This is unlikely to ever be useful to you though, so I digress :lol:

He's now 3.5 and still boobing :D and I'm pregnant again. With the first pregnancy he mostly weaned when my milk dried up at about 18 - 19w, I don't know if he will do that this time but I hope not, I would really love to tandem feed.

It's really not anyone's business but yours what you decide to do with your breasts ;) The ABA will have some good tandem feeding info for you I'm sure :D Good luck!