Hello!

I was wondering if anyone has a first born that loves being breastfed and by the time the 2nd bub comes he still is fed by breastfeeding. Is it possible to feed both this way? Just wondering.


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  • Yes, sure is possible !
    Plenty of articles here; https://kellymom.com/ages/tandem/official-tandem-bf-faq/


  • I think it’s possible just seek some expert advice first just to be certain. Goodluck :)


  • It is possible but I think would involve a lot of careful monitoring.


  • that happened to me and i had to boot the older child off the boob. Plus your milk changes for the newborn’s needs and tastes different to the older child so they probably won’t want it then


  • You sure can but just monitor how much each is getting so you know both are being fed adequately


  • My kids were too far apart for tandem feeding. My first two were weaned at 12 months, next bub at 15 months, and last bub at 19 months. I have a friend who tandem fed her bubs about 15 months apart in age. Her oldest though didn’t like the change in milk when his sister arrived and weaned himself so that baby could have her turn. I got a lot of advice and help on breast feeding from a child health nurse, including expressing colostrum whilst pregnant (needed a store of milk because of health reasons). They are a gold mine of knowledge.


  • It may be physically demanding on your body.


  • You can but you need to listen to your body. Talk to your GP and research tandem feeding. You need to make sure that you are getting enough energy and nutrients and drinking plenty of water.


  • Yes it is! I was pregnant with my second when my first was only 3.5 months old. I thought he might wean himself and he did but not until 11 months, so I didn’t have to consider what I’d do. I probably would have weaned him around the time his sister was due though. I know many women who do feed two and do it well. I had so much trouble with my first that I don’t think I could have. Do what feels right for you and ask the midwives, child health nurse of breastfeeding association for advice.


  • As my boys were three years apart and my doctors advised me to stop breastfeeding when your oldest was about 10 months I didn’t get the chance. Good on you if you can but be careful to look after yourself.


  • Plenty of my friends were tandem feeders as was I. Three children in three years no choice and it was a nice time to keep the cuddles. Weaning off the eldest was easy as we just decided to use formula and a big girl cup and the baby needed mumma’s milk.


  • They call it tandem feeding and advocates of it state it promotes sibling bonding. Personally I question how it works ie milk evolves to the baby’s needs, colostrum comes first for the newborn but if you are already feeding there won’t be any colostrum for the newborn. Guess it doesn’t matter too juch as some babies go straight to formula and bypass colostrum.


  • Yes of couse. I would suggest you follow the milk meg on facebook there is heaps of info on tandem feeding, give it a go, it can be done


  • I had a friend in the same predicament. She found it difficult as the first tended to get jealous so she had to try and ween him onto a bottle. It was hard at first but after a. Week or so it was perfect.
    But this is not to say it won’t work for you. It’s more about making sure your newborn as enough before your toddler feeds. Hope you find a happy balance!


  • If you have a good milk supply i think it is possible. I decided to stop breastfeeding my older kids during each pregancy about midway just so all the extra goodness went into making the bubs a little healthier. But thats just what i did and by no means what you should do. I just think it would be extra exhausting for you to do both kids.


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