Breast feeding a toddler and a newborn?

[nemosmum]

Hey I was wondering if it is possible to breast feed a toddler and a newborn???

A friend of mine has a toddler and is still bf, she is having her second bub next month and wants to keep bf both of them.

Is it possible and how does it work? just curious :)

[AM]

I am due at the end of January, and am still feeding my 21 month old, so will be tandem nursing .
It really isn't as hard as it sounds - so I've been told - your supply adjusts to the demands of both, and usually a toddler is able to wait for a nurse if necessary, so I can't see it being harder than nursing twins.

Kellymom.com has heaps of really good info on it.

[nemosmum]

Thanks :) I will pass on the website to my friend.

[JanetF]

Plan to tandem feed here :) Ds is 2 and bub is due in winter.

[Sarie]

Hmmm, you learn something new every day... I didn't think it would be possible :o

[Peaceangels]

Supply and demand, isn't that what they say about breastfeeding.......................

[Sarie]

Too true, don't know why it didn't occur to me... I'm a bit of a space cadet today :p

[giggles]

Does this just not cement how absolutely fabulous we are!!!

:D

[veve]

yes... but when would you sleep???? :rolleyes:

[AM]

Sleep??????
What's that? :D

Seriously, I think co-sleeping will help immesurably with the sleep issue.
I'm great at sleeping trough feeds :)

[JanetF]

Older babies don't tend to feed as much at night anyway and you can gently work their night feeds down if they're old enough. A good reason to not have them too close, I felt. My son is just 2 (recommended minimum for good health by WHO) so I know I can offer cuddles at night now (but booby immediately if he's distressed by that) and hopefully by the time bubs arrives he'll be used to not always having booby in the night. Tandem feeding is a wonderful way to help children deal with the possible emotional displacement or rivalry that comes with a new baby too. I want my son to have that constant security that is unchanged by the baby's arrival. There's not much sweeter than watching an older sibling patting a newborn while they're both feeding :)

[Baby Girl]

When newborns are born we produce colostrum. Obviously your body would still produce this but would it come through with your already established milk supply or would your milk supply drop off for a few days and be mainly colostrum?? Just curious??

[AM]

Your body tends to begin to make colostrum when you are about 20 weeks pregnant, hence some toddlers will self wean at this time, as they are put off by the change in your 'milk'.
My son hasn't batted an eyelash though, and continues to feed as though there is no tomorrow.
So I'll be producing colostrum for when the baby comes, and then my milk will revert to 'proper' milk after a few days or so.
Some tandem feeding mums find their supply does kick in a little sooner than if they are not tandem feeding.

[Baby Girl]

Thanks AM, I had heard that already feeding bubs might wean themselves while mum was pg but did not know why that was so. I guess the colostrum issue answers that Q.

Us mums really are amazing beings!!