Advice on tandem feeding?

[skylark101]

Does anyone have experience of tandem feeding pls? Im 40, have a DD of 23 months and am over the moon to be 9 weeks pregnant. I currently BF my DD 2-3 times a day (first thing, sometimes in day and then when she goes to bed) and we both really enjoy it.

Im not sure whether to just continue BF her and then tandem feed when the LO arrives next year. Or whether to try and stop - but would need to do so soon enough that she has forgotten when the new baby arrives and so isnt jealous.

In some ways Id like to tandem feed, esp as my DD doesnt want to stop now and it would be q hard to do so. But a bit worried that it might be exhausting. Not least as Ill be 41 when the new baby arrives and will go back to a busy-ish job full time after 9/10 months. (I work FT at the moment but BF before going to work/when i get home which works fine.)

Does anyone have experience of this dilemma? Wd welcome advice?

You might get more answers on the breast feeding board???

I haven't tandem fed, but I did consider it - however I gave up bf v recently when I was 20 weeks pregnant (my son is 19 months). I loved feeding my son but as I got closer to 20 weeks my breasts got sorer and it became pure agony. I can only feed on one side so that probably swayed me towards stopping too, as did the prospect of the tiredness and the potential competition. I am now 24 weeks pg.

Before giving up, my son fed at least four times a day, more if he was ill or grumpy, but stopping was surprisingly not much of an issue. He is still very fond of patting my breasts when we snuggle up and talks a bit about mummy milk, but he's been really relaxed about it.

My sister also gave up at 20 weeks pg with a similarly aged DC and generally similar circs- she has had no jealousy issues since the birth of her second child.

It is obviously a completely personal choice - I still feel sad about not feeding my boy, but I do also feel that he had a good crack of the whip at bf, and it will be nice for my new baby to get a bf exclusive like he did! And because I had a painful start to bf last time (tongue tie, the one side thing) I don't want to put myself under too much pressure.

Good luck, whatever you choose.

I tandem feed twins on demand. In some ways it's demanding and tricky to get used to but after a while you get in the swing of things. Some say it's easier 1:1 but tandem is my way of an easier feeding.

As your LO is nearing 2 it maybe easier to BF her across your lap and the baby in a rugby hold. I would have suggested a feeding pillow but I have no experience tandem feeding a younger and older child.

I personally find tandem easier as it settles them both and it's quicker.

Give it a go, practice. You may find it easier feeding 1:1. Everyone is different find a medium that you're comfortable with and go with. Trial and error. :)