- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- babies today articles
- babies today q&a
- toddlers today articles
- toddlers today q&a
- breastfeed.com articles
- breastfeed.com q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
In Tandem
The How-to of Nursing Two By Gwen Morrison
What seemed to surprise LaGrave the most was how easy it was to slip into tandem nursing once the new baby was born. Her first-born child didn't nurse as often as his sibling, but LaGrave says he knew he was free to partake in the feeding while the new infant was breastfeeding.
The American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) New Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding, says that tandem nursing can in some cases ease your older child's adjustment to the new baby, address your own desire to maintain closeness with the older child and even make childcare easier in some cases, as both children are fed and comforted on the breast.
"Most women who choose to tandem nurse also choose to breastfeed each child individually," says Calandro. "Frequently, the older baby will nurse after the younger baby has eaten his fill. This way, the mother has the opportunity to spend a little unrestricted time with each child and give individual attention."
Calandro says that moms who choose to nurse both children at the same time find that sitting up on a bed or a sofa where there is lots of room to spread out for the older child works best. "She should arrange the baby in a comfortable position first, and then the more experienced nursling can snuggle in and find a cozy spot as well," she says. "Positioning is not usually a problem!"
La Grave discovered that it was easiest if the older child sat on her lap and leaned into the cradle of her arm while the baby rested his bottom and feet on the tummy of his sibling. "Once the baby got older, he would make a great game out of kicking his sibling," she says. "At that point, the best position was separately!"
