Tandem Breastfeeding

Tandem breastfeeding or tandem nursing is when you breastfeed your toddler as well as your newborn. Breastfeeding older children can sometimes be seen as a taboo, something you shouldn't do. However, they are lots of advantages to continue toddler breastfeeding as well as disadvantages.

Sometimes a parent may feel that their toddler is not ready to wean himself from breastfeeding and therefore when a new baby is due to be born their toddler continues nursing.

Sometimes a toddler may almost have weaned himself before the birth of a new sibling, but then when the new baby is born the toddler goes back to toddler nursing with relish! Once your toddler knows that he can nurse if he wants he may then choose not to - but he has the reassurance that he would be allowed.

Your toddler may enjoy the abundance of the new milk supply as well as cuddling up to Mummy for comfort during this time of change. For your toddler having a new sibling can be threatening and it is a big change for them to accept.

No longer does he have the sole attention of his parents and so to continue toddler breastfeeding can be reassuring and comforting for him. Also with tandem breastfeeding sharing the quiet closeness with his mother with the new baby can avoid feelings of jealousy and anger.

Another advantage of tandem breastfeeding is that a close bond can develop between the siblings. They are likely to hold hands or touch more than they would otherwise. They are sharing a special quiet time together.

However, sometimes as a new mother you may want to protect your newborn's one-to-one relationship with you. Therefore you may want to restrict your toddler breastfeeding so that he feeds after the baby or at certain points in the day.

If you are tandem breastfeeding with both children feeding at the same time you will need to be extra careful about positioning both children correctly. Positioning and latching on is crucial to happy breast feeding and you really need to avoid the downward spiral of cracked or sore nipples. Check out our breastfeeding positions and seek advice from your local breastfeeding counsellor, health visitor or midwife.

From the third trimester in your pregnancy and when your new baby is born your toddler will benefit from having colostrum as part of his feed and from it's antibodies and immune factors. Generally you are advised to let your new baby feed first so that he takes what colostrum he needs. But this will vary to each family: if the let down is too strong it may be more useful to let your toddler feed at the beginning.

If your breasts become engorged then a great advantage of tandem nursing is that your toddler can feed to drain your breasts and so you avoid blocked ducts and mastitis. Alternatively you can use a breast pump, warm flannels, and even Savoy cabbages to soothe your breasts.

Take Care Of Yourself!
Taking care of yourself is so important for the whole family. Make a list of things you like doing and give your self breaks away from the children so that you can have some me-time. That time might be difficult to find but it IS possible to find. Tandem breastfeeding can be draining and you may feel you have to always be a Super-Mum - but you must remember that you are your own independent person too who also needs some looking after.

Tandem nursing can also be very time consuming! So be realistic about what you can do - get help if you can with the housework, washing and cooking so that you have time to feed and some time to regain or maintain some energy!

Tandem nursing does not suit everyone and there is no need to feel that you have to do it. Consider carefully whether you want to do it and bear in mind that if you start tandem nursing you don't have to continue it if it is not working out. Being a parent can pull you in different directions and what you decide to do needs to feel right for you as well as your child.