is anyone pregnant and breastfeeding or tandem feeding? or did you regret not tandem feeding?

[ikeaismylocal]

Ds is 14 months old and I recently found out I am pregnant, ds is nowhere near ready to wean, he really loves his feeds and it's just so easy for both of us.

Has anyone got any advice/experiences they could share with me, I'd especially like to hear if you regretted continuing or stopping?

[TerrariaMum]

I am pg with dc3 and feeding DD2. I also fed DD1 throughout my pg with DD2 and for a bit after she was born.

I am happy to have done and to be doing it. It was rather interesting with DD1 and DD2 as after DD2 was born, feeding DD1 started to feel strange and uncomfortable except for qhen DD1 was teething. Then it didn't feel strange. I wonder why.

[McBaby]

I stopped after my 12 week scan when dd was 15 months I am now 30 weeks and glad I stopped I have had a few months with my body to myself (well except for being pg) even though I was very sad when stopping. I think my supply had dropped dramatically by end of 1st trimester and DD was not bothered by me stopping feeding her and chose porridge instead she is still not really into cows milk so we have lots of dairy in other things.

[HoratiaDrelincourt]

Both DC1 and DC2 weaned when I was pregnant with the next baby.

DC1 I had had a pretty horrific mc following norovirus before conceiving DC2. I was working 30h/w (plus 3h/d commute). I was knackered, and by 7w pg I had nursing aversion. I adopted "don't offer, don't refuse" and when he forgot to ask for a whole week I was overjoyed. And when he asked I said it had stopped.

DC2 carried on for far longer. Again I got pg but mc, again I got nursing aversion, but this time he didn't want to stop. I looked into tandem feeding and gritted my teeth. Then at 18w ish we went on holiday and he was so distracted he forgot to ask.

Both of them tried again once the respective new baby arrived but had lost the ability to latch and weren't annoyed about it.

I did not want to tandem feed. I was really glad they weaned. Bfing during pregnancy was horrible. But I also don't agree with forcing weaning without medical need, so I was prepared to grit my teeth and bear it.

[weebairn]

I am 8 weeks pregnant and breastfeeding my 16 month old. I'm very tired and sick but the feeding itself is ok, no pain. She only has morning and bedtime feeds now, and if I'm busy/working we skip them easily enough. Supply may have dipped but not sure how I would know? She doesn't seem frustrated but then I don't think she really feeds for the milk more for the cuddles these days. She also drinks cows milk quite happily.

I am totally undecided about tandem feeding… but it's a way off I guess. Like you OP I just don't want to stop and regret it!! I think I'll make a decision once I'm out of the first trimester tiredness/sickness, everything is a bit grim right now.

[Artandco]

It didn't make any difference here tbh. Ds1 was 15 months when ds2 was born. Tandem fed both until ds1 was 2.5 twice a day usually.

[ikeaismylocal]

Thatks for sharing your experiences with me, ds feeds mostly when he is sleepy, he doesn't have any other way of settling, he wont take a bottle, rejected dummies at about 6 months and has no special teddy or blanket, I really need to try to introduce something else that will comfort him besides me and breastfeeding as I will have to leave him to go and give birth.

Horatia I'm sorry for your losses. I'm glad your children weaned and it all worked out well in terms of feeding.

I guess I will just have to wait and see, 14 months still feels so small, but ds will be nearer 2 by the time I actually give birth.

[atthestrokeoftwelve]

It's worth remembering that many toddlers will self wean during a subsequent pregnancy anyway as the milk changes to colostrum and volumes decrease, so even if you plan to tandem feed there is a high chance it may not happen. For many it can be a nice easy gentle way of natural weaning.
Tandem feeding can bring its own challenges too, it is not always the idyll that it appears, and although can bring many benefits is not without hurdles for many mothers.

[weebairn]

I was really engorged with DC1 for many months and I keep thinking how great it would be to have a toddler-sized instant-boob-emptier on hand…

on the other hand probably feeding a newborn and toddler would make it all worse!!

[atthestrokeoftwelve]

A toddler can be a great way of easing engorgement, and to bring in the milk quickly after birth.

Although colostrum is very laxative and can have pretty explosive effects on a toddler who is eating 3 solid meals a day!!

[TerrariaMum]

Actually, that was something I forgot to mention, weebairn. When my breasts felt sore from engorgement, DD1 feeding was the best painkiller. It didn't make it worse, just relieved me. But that is my experience. I wouldn't presume anything from it.

[izzledizzle]

My boy is 2 and I have a 6 week old
I would def recommend tandem feeding if your child wants to continue bf. My boy wasn't put off by my milk changing to colostrum and loves feeding alongside his sister. Is so sweet watching him stare at her and hold her hand while they feed together. There us a great book tthat answers pretty much any question you can think of about tandem feeding
Its called adventures in tandem nursing. Definitely worth buying and flicking through on a regular basis. Good luck with whatever you decide though. It definitely isn't for everyone but it works very well for us