How to Nurse a Toddler and Infant Simultaneously

When a new baby enters your life, there are major changes on the horizon for your toddler. If your toddler is still nursing when you become pregnant, there is no need to wean. Nursing both children (known as tandem nursing) is safe and provides important nurturing and nutrition. It may also ease sibling rivalry and the adjustment period for your nursing toddler.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Continue breast feeding your toddler throughout your pregnancy. This is often difficult because of tenderness, decreased supply and feelings of agitation. Knowing that these problems are common and temporary may help overcome them.
2. Establish a good latch and nursing position with your newborn. It is important that your new baby learn to latch and suck with your full attention. Introduce your nursing toddler to your nursing relationship with the baby after these important things are in place.
3. Find a comfortable place to nurse. Nursing two at one time takes quite a bit of space. A sofa or love seat with plenty of pillows might be the best bet.
4. Latch on the infant in a comfortable position. The infant is less accustomed to nursing so his latch needs the most attention.
5. Invite your toddler to latch on the other breast. She should not need much assistance getting in place. Once the toddler is latched on and nursing, you can adjust the position of both children.
6. Position the children so that they both maintain a good latch and you are comfortable. Some mothers use the football hold for one child and the cradle hold for another. Others stack the children with the infant basically in the toddler's lap. Still others have the toddler sit facing the mother while the infant is in a more traditional position. Determine the position that is most comfortable for you and your children.
7. Encourage your toddler to treat your nursing infant tenderly. Many siblings automatically hold hands or pat one another as they nurse. By establishing a gentle nursing relationship between your two nurslings, you can avoid territory battles and jealousy.

Tips & Warnings

• It is not necessary to nurse your children simultaneously to successfully tandem nurse. Some tandem nursing mothers maintain separate nursing relationships with each child.