About Tandem Nursing

There is no need for a mother nursing a child to wean when she finds out she is pregnant or gives birth to another baby. Tandem nursing, nursing two or more children of different ages, continues to be beneficial for the mother and both children. While it may seem like a daunting commitment to nurse more than one child, many mothers feel it offers more advantages than disadvantages.

Benefits

Nursing a child into the toddler years continues to provide the child with vital nutrients and antibodies that boost the immune system. In addition, when another baby is born into a family, it is natural for toddlers to become jealous. Continuing to nurse a toddler when a new baby is born can reduce sibling rivalry and allow for a smoother transition of having a new family member that demands so much of mom's time.

Misconceptions

One unfounded concern about tandem nursing is that the mother's milk supply will not sustain two or more children, and that the youngest nursing baby who relies solely on breast milk will go hungry. The fact is that women's bodies are designed for the supply to meet the demand. The more nursing that takes place, the more stimulation to create more milk. Tandem nursing mothers are more likely to complain about over-production than under-production. The only time this is really a concern is if the mother has had a medical condition or procedure that inhibits her milk production.

Considerations

When tandem nursing, in the first few days after the new baby is born, mothers should allow the baby to nurse first so that they will get the colostrum important to their digestive system. Once the regular milk supply comes in, mothers should nurse however it makes them most comfortable. She can allow the children to take turns nursing, or nurse both at the same time.

Theories/Speculation

Tandem nursing can be more stressful for some mothers, while less stressful for others. Some mothers may feel they are spending all of their time nursing children, especially in the weeks after the new baby is born, or when the baby is going through periods of heavy feeding demands. Many mothers who ride through the difficult times report that it gets easier, even pleasant. Other women find it easier, because when her toddler becomes cranky or jealous, she can still sooth him with nursing, rather than exacerbate the problem by cutting him off.

Expert Insight

According to Anne Smith, international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), mothers can safely continue to nurse a child throughout her next pregnancy. There is no evidence that suggests that nursing will contribute to miscarriages or take essential nutrients away from the fetus as long as the mother is well nourished. Discomfort from nipple soreness may occur, as hormonal activity contributes to nipple sensitivity. This may make nursing uncomfortable, but will usually lessen as the pregnancy progresses.