Tandem feeding - advisable or not?

[Lionstar]

OK so I'm only just newly pregnant, 5 weeks or there abouts, but 19 month old DD is still a total booby addict. I would like to start cutting down to 2 feeds a day because she manages fine when at nursery for 3 days a week - but she seems to make up for it the rest of the time. She also still has the occasional night feed (maybe twice a week)

So have some time to sort this out. My Mum reckons I HAVE to give up feeding DD because otherwise no colostrum will be produced for the new baby - anyone know if this is true? I think I would like for her to stop completely by then, and sufficiently in advance so that she doesn't feel pushed out by the new one. However I don't want her to feel rejected by me, and she is such an addict I can't see her ever giving up voluntarily. I was hoping it would happen automatically because I've heard anecdotally that the milk changes when you get pregnant, but it hasn't made any difference so far. Her language has been developing fast and I now get instructed to 'sit down' and 'dubba (her milk word) now mummy'

Sorry this has turned into an essay, I'm just not sure about how to go about tackling this, so would appreciate hearing your experiences.

your body will make colostrum just fine. Your DD may or may not self wean when your milk starts to change.

theres a few ladies on here who tandem

You will get colostrum for the new baby, even if feeding your DD.

I suggest getting hold of the book Adventures in Tandem Nursing: Breastfeeding During Pregnancy and Beyond by Hilary Flower. In spite of the title, it doesn't assume that every woman will want to continue nursing through pregnancy and go on to tandem nursing, so it does discuss weaning or cutting back on feeds.

In my case DS started to self-wean when I was around 23 weeks pregnant, and stopped altogether when I had DD (he was older than your DD, though).

I think just take it one step at a time. No need to decide now what you want to do in nine months' time; see how you feel as time goes on.

Your body will still make colostrum, so your mum is mistaken on that one. And it is also completely poss to make enough milk for your toddler and your newborn, just depends what you want to do.

I got pg when DS was 20 months, but he was only feeding once a day by then. I carried on bf until about 4 months pg, but I was getting really uncomfortable and decided that I wanted to stop. We did this gradually, was feeding every couple of days and then DS stopped asking. I'm glad we stopped gradually. I think my milk was starting to change and he was having to work harder to get it out.

There's plenty of time before the new baby arrives, maybe just take it one day at a time and see how you feel. You can always re-evaluate at any time.

DS hasn't had a proper feed for over 2 months now. V V occasionally he will try and latch on, but then laughs and says that milk comes from the 'freege'.

I have tandem fed, (still am DD 3.6, DS2 1.6) and am now pregnant again, your body will make colostrum (you may find your DD has some very loose stools, DD did!)> I also recommend adventures in tandem nursing as a good source of info

Thanks all, I'll look into that book. At least I've got lots of time to sort it out, or at least let it sort itself out .

Good to hear that colostrum will still be produced though. BTW Mum is a farmer and she was adamant that lactating cows/goats etc have to go through a 'dry' period before they will produce colostrum for a subsequent birth. Perhaps we humans just have better designed bodies?

Don't know if you are familiar with ////kellymom

No need to give up when pg if you don't want to.

Would be inclined just to nod at anything your mum has to say on the matter and find out for yourself!

My mum had a load of opinions on tandem feeding, all of them a bit misinformed.

I think I would love to tandem feed, but no2 just isn't happening and ds is almost 3 and will prob self wean soon.

congrats on your pg btw

Hi my sister in law breastfed first DD for 3.5 years and throughought her second pregnancy until second DD was 10 months old. First DD took herself off the breast preferring just kisses and cuddles instead and a big girl cup of milk. My SIL though is still bf'ing second DD who is now almost four. She only feeds once a day but DD won't give it up and SIL wants her to do it naturally like her sister rather than enforced. She is now pregnant with twins. She's desperately trying to get second DD off the breast before the twins arrive in three months. She's very pro breastfeeding and wants to feed the twins exclusively but is worried how second DD will cope when she sees Mummy feeding the twins. Obviously she can't feed all three at the same time !!

I will be tandem feeding beginning some time over the next week .

There's a support thread for those of us who are pg and nursing - will find you a link...

Here you go.

You don't have to give up nursing your daughter because you are pregnant.

Your milk will change back to colostrum in time for your new baby not sure when but I nursed thoughout my pregnancy and always had milk/colostrum and a couple of days after DS was born my milk came back in again properly.

You might find your daughter :-
: nurse happily thoughout your pregnancy
: self weans whilst you are pregnant
: returns to the breast when the baby is born

There is no way of knowing for sure, just keep on breastfeeding and see what happens day to day

All the best

I'm tandem feeding - it's tiring and initially DD went onto six sodding feeds a day but it's fine. I am trying to get her down to two feeds a day - DS is thriving (11 weeks old and 18 pounds already) so yes you will make enough (and more besides!)

It's very good for preventing sibling rivalry btw.

I am tandem feeding DS 2 & DD 1 & found it to be a good experience for us. My DD also gained lots of weight very fast & I was pumping for the milk bank too!
curlywurly- congrats on news, was going to do a post asking if anyone has got pregnant while tandem feeding but no need to ask now. Are you planning to feed all three if needs be?
PS would echo Adventures in Tandem nursing reccommendation.

Great, am starting to feel this may work for us, thanks for all your advice. Oh, and best of luck CantSleepWontSleep I'll look out for your announcement! Best wishes to whomovedmychocolate and your little one too. And curlywurlycremeegg I'm just in awe!