Tandem nursing - but not in the usual way

~Tranquility~Doula · 08-22-2006, 09:50 PM

I think it might be difficult for her to get the older boys to latch properly after all that time off the breast. If she can do it though, more power to her!

DL · 08-22-2006, 10:29 PM

Since it's been so long, I would be surprised if the older boys would even want to, besides out of a passing curiosity. I could be totally wrong, but that's what I'd guess would (or rather, wouldn't) happen.

I would be very interested to hear how this turns out, though!

to her!

Ceci · 08-22-2006, 10:32 PM

Kim Trower · 08-23-2006, 12:11 AM

I almost guarantee the boys don't know how to suck anymore and will probably take the opportunity to give it a try but then burst into laughter and be silly about it...especially at 2 and not have nursed since they were 1 month old. BUT being able to heal from that experience is important so pumping after 6-8 weeks to be able to share her milk with her older boys would be awesome if she felt that would help her.

Babies_Bellies_Boobies · 08-24-2006, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kim Trower

I almost guarantee the boys don't know how to suck anymore and will probably take the opportunity to give it a try but then burst into laughter and be silly about it...especially at 2 and not have nursed since they were 1 month old. BUT being able to heal from that experience is important so pumping after 6-8 weeks to be able to share her milk with her older boys would be awesome if she felt that would help her.

i agree. but it will also depend on how she does with pumping, i have had clients that had more than enough milk for theior babies, but were "pump-shy"

Acacia · 08-25-2006, 09:40 AM

She could always try it. The boys may not latch correctly like others have said, but they may not like the taste. My daughter was very interested in mommy milk after she saw me feeding her brother. I let her taste it and she didn't like it. I say if she is up for the challenge AND she has a good milk supply so she isn't "taking" from the baby, that she should go for it.

Stacie · 08-25-2006, 01:22 PM

Ceci · 08-26-2006, 09:10 PM

newbirth · 08-27-2006, 09:00 PM

My first son weaned at 5 mo. We had a rocky start and nursing was such a struggle, he decided he preferred his portable bottle (he crawled at 4 mo) to stationary mama and weaned.

When I had #2, he was just three months past 2 yo. He asked to try nursing, and I let him try, and he couldn't figure it out at all.

It's probably not going to work. If they want to try, that's fine. But after this much time, they will probably have no desire to do it, or even ability. Sucking at the breast is entirely different from any other kind of sucking.

DoulaYvonne · 08-30-2006, 05:32 PM

I think the biggest issue is the unresolved feelings that Stacie mentions and that you bring up in your post. She wants to do what is best for ALL her children and believes that reintroducing the breast to her two year olds is the way to alleviate what sounds like a guilty conscience. Ask her if spending some good, quality, one on one time with each toddler will be possible after the birth. Hep her realize that she has evolved as a parent and has learned so much in the two years that the twins have been here. It is a commendable idea, but for a number of reasons that others have mentioned, the likelihood of success is not great. If she does attempt it and finds she is not successful, what will her feelings be then? Also, since you mentioned that she is interested mainly in their emotional health, has she really assessed if this idea is in their best interests? I have faced this issue a few times over the years so it is not uncommon. I hope that all goes well for this mama and her bebes.