Comments on: Room for Two

By: Terri

Terri — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:12:59 +0000

I love reading about the experiences of other Mamas who engage in tandem nursing so thanks for sharing. I have just written up my own personal experience on my blog for anyone who is interested http://onelovelivity.com/childofnatureblog/?p=755

By: mrsnashville (julie)

mrsnashville (julie) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:53:06 +0000

Sometimes the tandem positions are quite comical! My 16 month old b/g twins are very “active”! Sometimes one is hanging off the pillow but still latched on while the other is trying to stand and look at 3 yr old big sister so as not to miss anything – something funny sister does or a drop of milk. Way to go to everyone who nurses!

By: crunchy domestic goddess (amy)

crunchy domestic goddess (amy) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:11:59 +0000

i can totally relate to the heebiejeebie feelings, melodie. i experienced that with my oldest too both while i was pregnant and nursing her and after my son was born. i think it does have something to do with it being an older child, yet my son just turned 3 and while i’ve experienced those feelings a tiny bit with him, it was nothing compared to what i felt with my daughter. i think nursing 2 just takes a lot out of some of us – at least it did me.

By: Melodie

Melodie — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:49:27 +0000

I tandem nursed for 5 months. We only did it all together a few times, which my oldest also thought was pretty cool, much to my surprise. I wasn’t sure if she’d like sharing her mom with her newborn baby sister but I think it actually helped them bond. I got the heebeejeebees a couple months into it but it wasn’t the tandem nursing that did it, it was just nursing my oldest on her own that made my feel physiologically weird. At that point I would only nurse her before bed and if she got hurt and then we agreed to wean on her third birthday.

By: crunchy domestic goddess (amy)

crunchy domestic goddess (amy) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:54:52 +0000

Actually, I think it’s better to say that my friend was mistaken (and I didn’t know any better). Nursing children of different ages is tandem nursing whether it’s at the same time or not. So be proud of your tandem nursing, mama.

By: Amber

Amber — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:30:42 +0000

I weaned my first child early in my second pregnancy, when she was almost 3. We also had a couple of dodgy moments, but on the whole it was really good for us. She was ready, and I was more than ready. I think that tandem nursing is great, and I admire the moms who can pull it off. So far, that’s not me. Although if I were to have my children closer together, I would definitely consider it.

By: crunchy domestic goddess (amy)

crunchy domestic goddess (amy) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:28:23 +0000

Honestly Mary, I really think if you are breastfeeding two or more kids (whether or not you are doing it simultaneously) you are still tandem nursing. I wrote this post two years ago and had a different view of it then, but I’ve since changed my mind.

By: Mary

Mary — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:37:07 +0000

I love hearing about other moms tandem nursing. Although I must admit I learned from your post that I had the definition wrong. I nurse both my daughter (August 07) and my son (January 09) and assumed I had been “tandem nursing” this past year. But like you, I rarely nurse them at the same time which I suppose is the true definition of tandem nursing. I have done it a few times, especially early on when my youngest was a newborn. I imagine if I tried it now it would degenerate into a giggle fest and they would forget all about their “mee mees.” Breastmilk Makes my Tummy Yummy is a favorite book in our house as well! Thanks for the post.

By: Cave Mother

Cave Mother — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:23:05 +0000

Yes, thanks for sharing. I can just imagine the stifled giggles.

By: faedemere

faedemere — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:18:43 +0000

Great post! I have to disagree with one thing. I think that tandem nursing is any time a mom is breastfeeding more than one child, whether it is simultaneously or not. You still have the demands of more than one to meet, and it brings up all sorts of new challenges!
I tandemed my boys for about 4 months before my oldest choose to wean, saying he wanted pizza not milk LOL! I would breastfeed them together often, but just as often I would have them take turns with the baby going first and then the toddler. The memories of that for me are just so precious. Thank you for reminding me of them!