Tandem feeding - your experiences?

Hi ladies,

My DD is 13mths and I am currently 25wks pg with #2. Very exciting!

DD is still breastfeeding - generally only first thing and last thing, but occasionally during the day as well, if she is particularly unsettled or grumpy!

She shows no desire to stop any time soon. I am all for this - but how will it work with two of them?

I have read the ABA's article on tandem feeding and made a note to look for their book, "Breastfeeding through pregnancy and beyond". What I'm looking for is some more practical experiences.

Did/are you tandem feeding? How long did it last?

How did you do it? Newborn first, then toddler? Or vice versa? In what positions?

Did you encounter any problems with over/under supply? Letdown too early for the newborn? Anything like that?

I'd like to be prepared! TIA!

I'm very much interested in this too so look forward to reading the replies :D

Well done OP! You're going great! Obviously I have no answers for you yet but I hope to be in your position one day. Interested to hear replies.

Congratulations!!!

DS1 was 18 months 4 days when DS2 was born.

Prior to birth of DS2, DS1 was feeding very short feeds as I don't think there was there, he would have a decent feed in morning then short feed or 2 in day/night, however since milk came in etc DS1 wants to feed a lot more frequently.

I feed DS2 side 1 and once he is on 2nd side DS1 can have other side if he is wanting it. I never offer it to him, he climbs up on couch pulls up my top down my bra and puts my arm behind him. Which is very cute but can get annoying as often he will do this while DS2 feeding and if DS2 is asleep in bed. He has frequently pulled it out of DS2 mouth. Or DS2 will come off to burp and DS1 swoops and attaches himself.

He gets crabby when I tell him to wait till DS2 finished first side but is getting better.

Its hard work and tiring and at points blooming annoying when you want to get things done, I have had days of feeling like a cow that fed all day! But is so cute when DS1 leans his head next to DS2 and pats him and holds his hand.

Good luck with everything!!

Congratulations on your pregnancy OP! How exciting.

I have tandem fed twice. DD1 was 19 months old when DD2 was born. DD1 was feeding twice a day and I found it the most positive experience to continue feeding her. It was an instant tantrum stopper and comforter and when they were holding hands whilst feeding (very cute seeing a 20 month old hold a 1 month olds hand) it was gorgeous to see. I continued tandem feeding for 10 months until DD1 was 2.5 yrs.

By that point, I wanted to stop DD1 and it took 3 days to wean her. I personally had enough by that stage!!

I've just given birth to DD3 so DD2 is tandem feeding with her. Again she feeds twice a day - but with a few extras if she falls/tantrums etc like last time. I intend to keep going until DD2 is 2.5 yrs (if i can and it suits us).

How to do it? I have done newborn goes first and then toddler so newborn has right side and toddler perhaps waits or has a little bit of left side whilst waiting. Then swap so newborn gets a chance to have a full feed. Newborn feeds many times more than toddler so I'm not too hung up on if the one feed they share is a little unbalanced. I top up the newborn again after toddler is finished if i need to.

Toddler doesn't feed for as long as newborn too so i generally find once she has had some i can offer some food (already to hand by the sofa!) and she will have some fruit etc once she has been comforted on the breast.

Positions? i've done football hold and also both lying the same direction e.g. feet pointing to my left whilst lying on a pillow on my lap. Depends on whether i'm sitting on the bed or sofa and how sore my c-section scar is feeling.

Problems? First time round (with tandem feeding) i had over supply issues. This was modified by feeding off one side per feed until my milk supply settled down. Only took a few days to remedy itself. Second time round no issues at all. Best thing is not having to get out the breast pump to deal with engorgement. Toddler always happy to relieve a full breast!!

Just remember to be strict with yourself again with regards to positioning and attachment and you'll be great!

I have had the best experiences tandem feeding and it has worked well for my family. I know some other BB members may have struggled with it so it would be good to hear their experiences too - there are a few previous threads you could search for. I was lucky i guess my milk kept going through my pregnancies too - it's not always the case for each woman. It just depends on your individual hormone levels I think.

Feel free to ask anymore questions. Good luck!

The other thing that helps to keep in mind is that the breast is never empty. Even after a really big feed, it still has about 35 % milk retained in it and only takes about 20 mins after a feed to 'fill up' again. So having faith in yourself (and boobies!!) helps too!

Feeb and Royal, thanks so much for your input.

It is really great to hear that it can work and work well!

Sounds like feeding newborn first and then toddler is a good way to go.

So far my supply doesn't seem to have dropped - well DD is still able to get a good feed first and last thing so that's groovy.

I can't wait to see her and her little bro feeding together, if they hold hands that would be so cute!

But I guess no expectations - I know she may still decide some time in the next 15 weeks that enough is enough. We'll see!

Has anyone had any negative experiences? Things I can try and learn off?