Hey you Tandem and Triandem feeders, come say Hi!

[MummaMilk]

How you all going?

:D

[Mrs Nietzsche]

hi

Well I am currently feeding DD2, hoping to get a break in so I can shower DS and get him to bed (with a feed of course)

This is a good idea for a thread.

[MummaMilk]

Ah good luck with that! (the break that is). I'm lucky that DS1 doesn't feed to sleep *ducks at things being thrown*.

Were just having dinner, I tell you what tandem BFing isn't as messy as a 1yr old and a 2yr old eating spag bog :laughing:

[demeter]

*sigh* one day i'll be in this thread :fingerscrossed:

[Sheer Bliss]

:wave: I have all 4 kiddies asleep, and just waiting now for the twinnies to wake for their next feed before going to bed myself! :sleeping:

[BoyCrazy]

i agree with dementer! :D

i really wanted to tandem feed with my two boys, but sadly my ds1 self weaned when i was 4 months pregnant with ds2 :(

am ttc #3 now, so hopefully i still might get the chance to tandem feed! :fingerscrossed:

[Mrs Nietzsche]

I really wanted to tandem feed for the experience... ok I've done it now, the novelty is worn off :laughing:

Really I think the pros and cons are reasonably equal, just for me - leaving aside the health benefits etc

ie it is awful when they both want to feed and ds is in a rough mood but great to calm him down and keep occupied when i am feeding the baby (so long as he keeps his hands to himsaelf)

[MummaMilk]

One day it would be lovely to have you demeter :fingerscrossed:

Do your twinnies feed at the same time C_M?

Aw BoyCrazy I really hope this time your DS2 doesn't wean.

:laughing: Maire I hear you, I would never wean DS1 but yeah it's hard sometimes and I hate it.

[Mrs Nietzsche]

mumma milk did your toddler gain weight after the baby was born and your new supply came in?

ds got a molar just after the baby was born and refused to eat for about a week, just had boob and he seriously porked up

[MummaMilk]

I'd say no initially, he went on strike for the first 2 weeks and I was expressing and giving him EBM in a cup, he came back to the breast gradually over 2-4 weeks (I stopped giving him EBM as soon as he breastfeed again). But I have heard a few children doing as you describe, all that yummy goodness colostrum!

[Mrs Nietzsche]

i actualy was a bit concerned! he has gone up to over 100 percentile now, look at the thunder thighs http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3503899&l=c8c39a47f0&id=622075232 (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3503899&l=c8c39a47f0&id=622075232)

[codswallop]

hi guys I'm no longer tandem feeding but i did when DS was first born till DD self weaned about 2-3 months later(apparently she has teeth and can eat ice cream babies no teeth!)

[Sheer Bliss]

It's funny to be in here! I used to read about tandem feeding but think i'd never be able to do it as bwe had originally planned a 3yr+ gap after DS....but then when we decided to TTC sooner I was excited about the thought....then I was so sick he pretty much weaned overnight as I was in hospy on a drip, then I had a bleed the night he came in for a feed and it kinda freaked me out, so I stopped. I was so dehydrated there wasn't much left at that point anyway. :( Then a week later we found out it was twins!! Made weaning him seem not such a bad idea after all...tri-tandem feeding would be cool, but dunno if i could handle 2newborns and a toddler!!

The sometimes feed at the same time now. Every morning pretty much their first feed is together, and if they wake at the same time in the day I feed them both - they hold hands sometimes and it's just gorgeous! But for their night feed, DD gets really cranky if DS touches any part of her other than her hand. :laughing: It's a shame really, as she doesn't have a strong suck, and I worry she doesn't get enough because she won't feed for long - at least when she feeds with him, he keeps sucking to get the let-down, and she re-attaches and gets the benefit! He is a great feeder, self weaning might take years for him, lol.

Maire - how cute that your DS gained weight after bubs was born!!

[codswallop]

maire he is so cute!!!!
i think he looks just the way a baby of any age should!
(but i also have a hipo balerina and a front rower in the making!)

[AM]

Hi there :wave: Nice to see other tandeming mums, and even more waiting to do so!

Doing great here, my eldest is funny, he only has booby in the morning and at night, and occasionally I will wistfully ask him when he thinks he won't need booby any more, and I think at the moment he is saying when he is 7! :rolleyes::laughing:

My almost 4 year old still loves boobie any time he can get it, he is chilling out a bit more now though, and if I don't feel like feeding him right then he will settle for a cuddle, something which would have been unthinkable a few months ago, he took it really hard when his little bro turned up. But he's doing really well now, thankfully, it's been a bit of a tough 9 months!

My little bub just feeds like a champ, he's just a fatty booba!! :)

How's this for a cute moment, my middle son said to me the other day "Mummy I love your boobies" and I said "Oh, why is that?" an he answered "Because they feed ALL of us!"

Too sweet :D

Wow! Demeter! I cannot believe H is 21 months??? Where did all that time go? Seems only the other day I was reading her birth story...

[abiishu]

Hi everyone! I'm relatively new to tandem feeding, and as much as I was really looking forward to it am having a few issues.

My 11 week old DD is feeding like a champ - no problems there.

But my 2yo DD just wants milk all the time. And I am having a really strong aversion to feeding her at the moment. It is really messing with my head as it is my choice to still be feeding her, and I know it is so good for her and I want to do it, but I just get a horrible feeling when I feed her - especially if its at the same time as bubs.

I just made her some special milk cards up the other day - came across the idea on here somewhere - so every time she wants some milk she has to trade me a card, thus limiting her feeds each day. It is working a treat so far! I think she feels like she's in control as she knows the cards will get her milk when she wants it, and I feel better because I know she's only got a set number of feeds a day.

But still having the aversion... :fingerscrossed: it will pass soon!

[MummaMilk]

Maire, his thunder thighs are just like my DS1 :)

C_M, that is so cute! DS1 hates it when DS2 touches him while they are feeding, DS1 had just gotten to the poking stage too which makes for lots of high pitched screaming here!

AM, naw sweet! I love that my boobies feed everyone, the other day after we got home from the park we were all hot and bothered, we plonked on the couch got beebees out and bliss :goodvibes:

Abiishu, I too get a lot of aversion, I haven't heard of the card idea before, how old is your DD?

[codswallop]

she proberly just has her nose out of joint a bit! i think the aversion is kinda natural (help prevent guzzle older sibs stealing all the booby juice!)
mine wore off ater a few weeks hope your will to!

[demeter]

Wow! Demeter! I cannot believe H is 21 months??? Where did all that time go? Seems only the other day I was reading her birth story...
I know! She's quite a character these days. Makes me laugh every day :cloud9:

[Gabi]

I hope to join you soon. My nursling is 16mo and I'm 8 months pregnant. I think we've gotten to the point where there's a strong chance we'll be tandem feeding. Depending on the day DS still requests up to 6 feeds!:D:eek:

How did you deal with the 8 month milk change? I think mine has changed.

[MummaMilk]

Welcome :) I just let DS1 do his thing Gabi ;)

[Gabi]

Thanks for the welcome!

I have another question.:D

When your second Bub arrived, after the initial engorgement/adjustment of supply did your cup size return to the size it was when nursing one? Or did it stay larger to accommodate the two?

I don't want to be huge forever!:laughing:

[Mrs Nietzsche]

Hi Gabi

8 month drop in supply - don't worry about it.

Cup size - mine has gone back to normal. However DS is at daycare 3 days and I sometimes notice them busting out a bit on those days. But generally, just the usual. I think they go back to normal faster actually because your boobs really know what is going on by now and produce the milk on demand rather than storing it so much.

[AM]

Yep, my boobs went back to about the normal size, even with feeding 3.

[Gabi]

Hooray!:smiliedance: This is good news.:D

[MummaMilk]

Mine went from E-FF with the arrival of DS2 and 1 year on they are still that size.

[demeter]

Today I tandem fed my DD and her best friend (aged 2) :flowerz: Those two were alrewady like siblings and now they're milk sisters :D

My friend has been less keen to feed her 2 year old since having her baby (now 6 months) coz her 2 year old sucks haaaard. So today she said "do you want demie's 'side'?" and she ran at me enthusiastically :laughing: Then she popped off to call my DD over "Harri 'side' too", so the two of them fed from me, breaking latch to giggle at each other. It was gorgeous.

And I find myself feeling more connected to DD's friend now, with greater patience for her and she seemed more at ease with me afterwards as well, we even had a boob free cuddle later which is rare!

[AM]

How gorgeous Demeter :)

[demeter]

Here are some photos of us:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2657/4192285194_2e4e1172ac.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2755/4192285244_42e6ec80b9.jpg

[Baldie's Mum]

call me hormonal but....................

:crying: :crying: :crying:

:D Amazing!

[AM]

Here are some photos of us:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2657/4192285194_2e4e1172ac.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2755/4192285244_42e6ec80b9.jpg

So cute :)

[Gabi]

I'm officially a tandem mummy!:smiliedance:

DS1 is loving the milk his brother brought for him, and I am loving that DS1 brought my milk in early and can drain me easily which has made the first few days such a breeze. :)

Today I tried to feed them at the same time sitting on the couch. I have to admit it was a bit hideous. DS1 still needs to be held which meant I didn't have enough hands to make sure DS2 stayed attached properly. Ouch! And in my hurry not to exclude DS1 from the breast (he is very touchy about nursing at the moment, not surprisingly) I think I put DS1 on too early depriving DS2 of some milk.:( I still have a lot to learn. How can I stick to good nursing manners with DS1 without hurting him emotionally?

[Sheer Bliss]

:yelclap: Gabi!!

I don't know how well this would work with bubs of different ages, but my twins have a boob each. If you start it early your milk should adjust quickly so no probs. That way both can feed as often as they need and not 'steal' milk from each other.

[AM]

Congrats Gabi :)

Yes, I had a boob for each when I had two nursing, the rule was that the eldest could ONLY have 'his' boob, and the baby would have the 'baby' boob, and could also switch to the other boob if he needed it (which rarely happened...)

It's a bit of a juggling act to begin with, but it does get a LOT easier with time :)

Could you perhaps read a book to your elder child when feeding your bub, or have a special toy he plays with, and the promise of a nurse after baby is finished?

[Mrs Nietzsche]

Gabi it gets easier!

With the side thing - I don't worry about it at all during the day, I just try to swap them... so if DS just had the right boob, I give DD2 the left one next, and vice versa, I try to give the baby the fullest feeling but I don't worry about it too much. At night I try to only give DS the right boob, and save the other for the baby as she sleeps through and he doesn't , and she is really hungry in the morning.... but this morning I let DS have both because he woke soo early ... and when DD2 woke up it didn't matter, she just drank from a drained breast, it still comes trhough fine and she gets a feed.

She is just over 6.5 kg now at 10.5 weeks so def getting enough lol.

With teh couch.... this is the only place I feed them both.

(I can feed htem both in bed, but I hate it as it always involved my boobs getting dragged around)

On the couch I lie down kind of half on my side, I cradle the baby on my arm and DS lies on top of me. The back of the couch supports him so he doesn't roll to my other side (and drag my boob). Once we are all locked and loaded it is pretty hard to move so it's best to have a willing slave around to answer phones, change tv channels or w/e.

DS (the older one) was a bit funny at first but he is totally used to it all now.. he no longer grabs at the baby so much, he no longer wants to feed every time she is, etc. He eats a fraction of the solids he used to though, I am really trying to encourage him there (which is working).. lots of cheering when he eats etc. Because there is so much milk there, I have to be careful about not feeding him close to a meal or he won't eat a thing.

And congratulations on your baby!

It will get heaps easier.. I found the first few weeks had some really trying moments with us all in tears but now it's a piece of cake.

eta - prob like any breastfeeding mother with a toddler, it's a good idea to have some suitable toys around you can grab, like a shape sorter or a book, or a xylophone so you can distract the toddler while you feed

eta2 - re the not enough hands thing... that is a struggle, but your baby will improve really fast, I now just have to aim my nipple at hte baby and she can latch on (when they are really newborn it's so much harder).

[Gabi]

Thank you everyone for your support! At the moment DH is able to distract DS1 for me for a bit, and to assist me with latching them both at the same time. I've decided to do as most of you have done and give each boy his own side. I hope I can get it down before DH heads back to work! DS1 would feed all day if we let him.

[SalTheGal]

Hey everyone.... not a tandem feeder here.... but definitely a peep :p all the same...

Just wanted to pop in to say how much I love reading this thread, and think you all ROCK!! :smiliedance: :smiliedance: :smiliedance:

[Nomsie]

How have I never seen this thread before!

Hello fellow tandems and triandems!

Would write more, but I have to go feed! :p

[AM]

Thank you everyone for your support! At the moment DH is able to distract DS1 for me for a bit, and to assist me with latching them both at the same time. I've decided to do as most of you have done and give each boy his own side. I hope I can get it down before DH heads back to work! DS1 would feed all day if we let him.


Glad to hear thigs are getting a bit easier for you Gabi :)

Hi Mods :)

[demeter]

I'm going to be a fulltime tandem feeder in about 8 months!!!! YAY!

No doubt I'll be around seeking non-weaning support during pregnant breastfeeding :D

[AM]

Ahhhh yes... non-weaning support is always good... :D

So excited for you!! :yelclap: How's it going?

[demeter]

So far so good :D Concieved April 2 so very early days, too early for any nausea or puking which is nice. Just eating, sleeping and gettin' it oooon with my man like there's no tomorrow :laughing:

[Mrs Nietzsche]

I suppose I'll be joining you as a triandem feeder AM. Can't say the prospect thrills and delights me.

I enjoy feeding DS when it's a relaxing moment etc, but I really notice the time constraints now feeding two. Ie how much time it takes, lol.

[AM]

O wow! Yes, it's a fulltime job on its own, but mine are further apart than yours, so I can't imagine how intense it must be for you. :hugs:

Congratulations!!! :flowerz::flowerz:

[headoverfeet]

So far so good :D Concieved April 2 so very early days, too early for any nausea or puking which is nice. Just eating, sleeping and gettin' it oooon with my man like there's no tomorrow :laughing:

Oh wow! Congratulations! :smiliedance:


I suppose I'll be joining you as a triandem feeder AM. Can't say the prospect thrills and delights me.

I enjoy feeding DS when it's a relaxing moment etc, but I really notice the time constraints now feeding two. Ie how much time it takes, lol.

The idea of triandem feeding doesn't excite me either but I think DS1 will wean soon either way it is just too uncomfortable for me to feed him 99% of the time.


O wow! Yes, it's a fulltime job on its own, but mine are further apart than yours, so I can't imagine how intense it must be for you. :hugs:

Congratulations!!! :flowerz::flowerz:

AM can I read about your journey to triandem feeding anywhere?

[Gabi]

Congratulations to those with new babies!

I just wanted to thank you for the support I received in this thread. I've been tandem feeding for four months now, and it is so nice for me and my boys.:cloud9: So thank you!

[demeter]

That's beautiful Gabi, really made me smile :)

[studentmum]

DD1 & DD2 were both fed until 2.5yrs+

I am feeding DS and pg with #4 who is due just before he is 2.

I am happy to feed DS aqs long as he wants but I wanted to ask...

Does milk change for the baby, ie will the colostrum come in first and then supply meet baby's need? Or will the milk just continue as normal?

Ta
Sarah

[AM]

Does milk change for the baby, ie will the colostrum come in first and then supply meet baby's need? Or will the milk just continue as normal?

Ta
Sarah

Congratulations :) About 20 weeks gestation, your milk will begin to change to colostrum, and by the time bub is born, there will most definitely be a full load of colostrum for the new baby, giving birth kind of 'resets' your milk supply, and then after the colostrum, the milk will be tailormade for your newborn, but of course your milk will still be incredibly beneficial for your toddler as well. :)