I have two kids two years apart, and I have tandem breastfed my baby and toddler for almost two years. I am expecting my third, two years after my second, and I’m planning to tandem breastfeed again. This means that I have had lots of questions during the last three years about breastfeeding during pregnancy, tandem breastfeeding, and particularly about tandem breastfeeding and having enough milk.
Tandem breastfeeding refers to breastfeeding two children of different ages, either simultaneously or at different times of the day. Breastfeeding is considered to be safe in a normal pregnancy, and so is tandem nursing after the baby is born.
Tandem breastfeeding and having enough milk
Will I have enough milk for my baby while pregnant?
Breast milk supply decreases in pregnancy at around 20 weeks gestation. If the nursling is younger than a year, they will need supplementation. If they are older than 12 months, they can continue to dry nurse. During the last weeks of pregnancy, the lactating parent will start to produce colostrum.
How can I increase milk supply while pregnant?
Pregnancy hormones cause a decrease in milk production. Since healthy levels of pregnancy hormones are vital for a healthy pregnancy, there is nothing you can do to significantly increase milk production except for waiting until birth. You can keep dry breastfeeding and the milk will come again before birth.
Will my toddler self-wean during pregnancy?
Since the milk supply drops during pregnancy and then the milk composition is different when it comes back, some toddlers lose interest and self-wean. But most keep enjoying the intimacy of dry breastfeeding and enjoy the newborn milk when it comes back.
Will I make colostrum if I’m already breastfeeding?
If you are pregnant and breastfeeding, your mature milk will change to colostrum in the last weeks of pregnancy. You could store some of that colostrum for your new baby if you are worried that you won’t have enough. Or you could give it to your nursing toddler.
Can I give colostrum to my toddler?
Colostrum has a higher protein content to help newborn babies gain weight after birth, it has a higher amount of antibodies and a laxative effect to help babies pass the meconium. Your toddler can benefit from colostrum with the only downside of having looser stools.
Will my toddler drink all the colostrum?
Most tandem breastfeeding people will produce enough milk for their two nurslings. If you worry about your newborn getting enough colostrum you can offer the breast to your newborn first and the toddler second. After a few days, your supply will regulate to meet the needs of both children.
Will my toddler want to breastfeed more once the baby is here?
Your toddler will probably want to breastfeed more once the new baby comes. Seeing you breastfeed the newborn all day will remind them that they also want to breastfeed. They need the extra bonding time with you, and they may really enjoy the new abundant milk.
Will I have enough milk for tandem breastfeeding?
Since breastfeeding works on demand and supply, most people will produce enough milk for two children at the same time as long as their babies keep removing milk from the breasts. To support a good supply, you can make sure to drink enough water and eat enough nutritious food.
Can each breast produce different milk?
When you tandem breastfeed, your body will produce breast milk specifically for the needs of each child. If you assign one breast to each child you could even see that the milk you produce in each side has different color.
Does tandem breastfeeding burn more calories?
Your body needs calories to produce milk. The more milk you produce, the more calories your body burns. How many calories you use for breastfeeding a toddler and a newborn will depend on exactly how much they are drinking. The variability comes mainly from the toddler’s needs.
Tandem breastfeeding and nursing aversion
I have nursing aversion in pregnancy, it is normal?
Having breastfeeding aversion while pregnant is normal. Nursing aversion is most times hormonal and very it is very common during pregnancy. If you have nursing aversion and you don’t want to wean yet, taking good care of your body and mind will help you feel better.
Will nursing aversion go away when I have the baby?
In most cases, nursing aversion goes away immediately after giving birth. If you plan to tandem breastfeed, you could still have some level of aversion for a while but you will feel more normal after the postpartum hormones level up in a few weeks.
Will I have nursing aversion with my newborn?
If you started to feel nursing aversion in pregnancy, it will most likely disappear after birth. If you continue breastfeeding during pregnancy to tandem breastfeed, you could still have some level of aversion when nursing the toddler. However, you will most likely be happy to nurse your newborn.
Is it hard to tandem breastfeed a newborn and a toddler?
Tandem breastfeeding requires a lot of energy from your body and mind right after going through pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood twice. It can be hard and it can make some things easier as well. Committing to nurse two kids at the same time has its pros and cons.
I feel touched out while tandem breastfeeding, is it normal?
Tandem breastfeeding requires a lot of time spent in close touch with your kids. The baby is probably latched on for hours a day, and the toddler increases his feedings because he sees the baby. It is very normal to feel touched out and need some space to feel good.
What is the difference between feeling touched out while breastfeeding and nursing aversion?
Feeling touched out is a general feeling that you may have after a period of having too much physical contact with your babies and too little space for yourself. Nursing aversion is a very physical response your body has to the act of breastfeeding in itself.
I have nursing aversion while tandem breastfeeding, is it normal?
It is very normal to have nursing aversion and agitation. It is more frequent in pregnancy, tandem breastfeeding and with older children.
Does magnesium reduce nursing aversion?
Nursing aversion can be linked with magnesium deficiency. Many people have found relief in using magnesium oil to reduce nursing aversion. Magnesium supplements are safe to take in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Tandem breastfeeding and fertility
Can I get pregnant while tandem breastfeeding?
You can get pregnant while tandem breastfeeding. Sometimes people who breastfeed have a longer period of amenorrhea after birth. If you breastfeed more, that period could be longer. However, is it perfectly possible to get pregnant while tandem breastfeeding once you start ovulating and having your period.
Do you have more questions on tandem breastfeeding and having enough milk, nursing aversion or any other tandem breastfeeding questions?
If you want a list of all the pros and cons of tandem breastfeeding, here is mine.
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