Breast Feeding a Toddler and New Born

[bubbabelly]

I thought this thread could either go in AP or breast feeding forum.

I have a 12 month old and am 6 weeks pregnant! I wanted to feed my son for at least the next year because it creates a strong bond and i am a strong believer in prolonged breast feeding but it has just occured to me for the next 3 years of my life i will be breast feeding. This seems a bit daunting!

Has anyone else done this before? I co sleep, will carry my bub in a sling but i dont think the bond will be as strong if i dont breast feed.

Has anyone done this or have any advice?

I also worry Hunter will get jealous as that is "his boobie"

[kadownie]

I haven't personally bf a toddler and a newborn- though I am on another forum where a lot of people do.... and from what I gather it is a challenge, but well worth it!

From their comments I have gleaned that during preg bf becomes a little uncomfy as your supply drops- but I think the milk just changes to colostrum at some time.

Also, when your milk comes in after your bub is born- they have commented how great it is to have the toddler to help relieve the 'fulness'

I do however have twins that I am tandem feeding- a bit different to a newborn and a toddler- but it is two all the same. They are 21 months atm- and I can't see them weaning anytime soon- though I know since I have weaned them from night feeds my supply has dropped...I don't really want to wean yet- for the bonding reasons and also booby has amazing toddler calming powers- I'm not sure how I will parent without them- I'm sure manage but it will be an adjustment.

Good luck on your bf journeys!!

[Funkychicken]

I haven't fed both toddler and newborn at the same time but know of a few women that have. A couple of these toddlers weaned themselves during the pregnancy because of the taste change in the milk. other's just adapted as they went. It is a big undertaking and I do understand that feeling of child no.1 being jealous. We prepared our toddler (now 7) so well for his sisters arrival. In fact I'm sure we were totally anal and probably spent more time than we needed to doing this preparing! He actually adores her though.
One friend of mine fed her child until he was nearly 5 and she became pregnant with no.2 child. She has never regretted this decision to feed so long and now, while her new bub is only 5 months, she has to return to work so she has to begin expressing as her DH will be doing the day feeds. She is devastated but comforted in the knowledge that her first child was breastfed for so long and they both had such a wonderful experience.
I know 3 years sounds like a long time, but form experience, it goes so, so fast. And you can't ever get that time back, so if you feel it is important to keep feeding both of them, just take it as it comes without trying to think too far ahead. Days, weeks and months very quickly add up to years.:D
Good luck.