Breastfeeding brings many benefits to mother and baby. We know that the ideal is to keep it up to six months exclusively and, from there, accompanied by other foods until the mother and baby want it.
If we left the children to choose, it seems that the natural age of weaning would be between 2 and 7 years. In some cases it may happen that the woman becomes pregnant again while breastfeeding and two lactations are joined: that of the oldest child and that of the newborn . This is known as tandem breastfeeding.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
During pregnancy, the breast prepares for breastfeeding the baby to come and prioritizes the newborn . Milk production has been seen to decrease dramatically between the third and fourth month of gestation. This important drop in the amount of milk causes more than half of babies to wean during pregnancy .
But those mothers who want to continue breastfeeding can continue to do so without problems (as long as it is a normal pregnancy). Towards the second half of pregnancy, colostrum begins to be produced. However, according to a study carried out by Alba Lactancia in 2006 it seems that, in the cases of maintaining lactation during pregnancy, what is produced is very similar to mature milk and must change to colostrum when delivery is approaching. Subsequently, transitional milk is produced and then mature milk.
Despite the myths surrounding this situation, scientific studies have not described negative effects on the fetus, nor have they found higher rates of abortion or premature birth in women who breastfeed during a normal gestation . However, it is advisable to discuss with the obstetrician the decision to breastfeed during pregnancy, especially in high-risk pregnancies, it is what could pose a problem (not in all cases, it must be individualized).
If I breastfeed in tandem, will the newborn have enough milk?
The fear that all mothers have is whether they will have milk for the newborn or the oldest will take it all. If we review the operation of the maternal breast, we will remember that milk production is governed by the “law” of supply and demand. Thus, the greater the suction, the greater the stimulus and the greater the production . Our breast is capable of producing as much milk as is needed. In the same way that a woman is perfectly capable of breastfeeding twins, there should be no problem in breastfeeding two children of different ages.
The only precaution we must take is to make sure that the newborn receives enough colostrum for the first few days . Colostrum is the milk that the mother produces in the first 2-3 days after giving birth and that has a different composition than mature milk, adapted for the immature newborn: more immunoglobulins and defense elements, more proteins, less lactose. Colostrum is produced in small amounts, but enough for the newborn (and his older brother); It is not exhausted either, if the chest is emptied, more is produced.
Despite having a different composition to mature milk, there is no problem for the older brother to drink it . Sometimes it happens that they make stools softer, as it has a certain laxative effect.
To ensure that the newborn receives sufficient colostrum, we must be careful to make frequent feedings (newborns suckle between 8 and 12 times a day). We can, for example, offer him the breast first and then, or after a while, the eldest. If we are very uncertain, we can assign a breast to each child.
The “milk surge” will occur in the case of tandem breastfeeding earlier and the milk production will be much higher (the older child stimulates the breast a lot) so there will be enough milk for both of us and we will not have to worry whether the smallest will have what it takes. Breast milk does not “waste” and our breasts are never completely emptied. The older child will stimulate production even more and both will always have milk available.
How to organize ourselves?
This is a personal decision of each family and the “guidelines” may change. Breastfeeding must be on demand and the newborn must be able to access the breast whenever he demands it.
Often with the arrival of the baby the older brother begins to suckle very often . Probably because, on the one hand, after the “drought” of pregnancy you now have all the milk you need; and on the other, because he also needs Mom’s attention and pampering.
This can be a stressful sensation for the mother and the appearance of the “agitation due to breastfeeding”: not wanting to breastfeed the elder, a feeling of rejection to breastfeed, an urgent need to leave the breast … It is good to know that you are sensations may appear and know that we can ask for help. Some family member can take care of the older one while we breastfeed the little one or, if the older one is old enough to understand, we can negotiate shifts or times to suckle with him.
False myths about tandem breastfeeding
– 1) Breastfeeding during pregnancy can lead to premature labor .
It is true that oxytocin is released during breastfeeding. This hormone is also the one that triggers uterine contractions in labor. However, oxytocin is released only during intake and disappears when it is finished; uterine contractions that occur outside of labor are mild and ** no higher rate of abortions or preterm deliveries has been seen in women who maintain breastfeeding during a normal pregnancy **. Only in cases of threatened preterm labor, risky pregnancy or a history of abortion could tandem breastfeeding be contraindicated. However, it is recommended that you tell your gynecologist if you breastfeed during pregnancy.
– 2) If we continue to breastfeed during pregnancy we will not produce colostrum.
The breast is prepared during pregnancy for the lactation of the baby to be born. Towards the third or fourth month, milk production decreases greatly and in the second half of pregnancy, milk begins to be produced. Although some authors say that colostrum is produced at this time, a 2006 study found that milk from this second half of pregnancy had a composition almost identical to mature milk. However, colostrum is present at the time of delivery, and the composition of that colostrum is the same as the colostrum produced by mothers who have not breastfed during pregnancy . Subsequently, transitional milk will be produced and then mature milk, the same as in women who have not breastfed during pregnancy.
– 3) There is no milk for both of us.
This myth is totally false. We have already seen that the higher the demand, the higher the milk production. So if a woman has “double the demand” she will produce double the milk. A woman is perfectly capable of exclusively breastfeeding her twins; similarly, a woman is capable of breastfeeding two children of different ages.
– 4) You have to select a chest for each sibling
There is no need to assign a breast to each brother, because as we have mentioned, the milk is not used and there is enough for both. However, this can be useful in some families and is a valid option. A single breast is enough to breastfeed a baby; Women who have undergone a mastectomy for different reasons can exclusively breastfeed without problem. As we have said many times before, the production of the breast is adjusted to the demand.
– 5) The mother should eat for three.
The mother should eat a normal diet (varied and healthy) and eat depending on how hungry she is. During lactation the caloric needs are a little higher than when we are not breastfeeding, but we do not need to increase them much more by the fact of breastfeeding two.
Regarding liquids, we must also be guided by our feeling of thirst. We also do not need to take extra dietary supplements (other than the recommended iodine all lactating women take). The mother’s health is not affected by tandem breastfeeding.
Advantages and disadvantages of tandem breastfeeding
As advantages, the milk production when breastfeeding in tandem is greater and the milk rise occurs earlier. This causes newborns to suffer less weight loss and gain more weight at first. They have a large amount of milk available from the first days. Thus, the beginnings of breastfeeding may be easier with this second baby. In addition, the “rise in milk” will be smoother as the older brother will be in charge of emptying the breast well and engorgement is rare.
Lastly, the older sibling may feel more integrated by sharing the breast with the newborn. Thus, a study in which 9 mothers who breastfed in tandem were surveyed shows that breastfeeding in tandem calmed their older children, channeling their bad mood and jealousy (“I barely had temper tantrums”) and created a more intimate relationship between mother and children. and between brothers.
However, this can also be a disadvantage. And it is that older siblings tend to increase the number of feedings a lot and demand the breast very frequently, which can be very stressful for the mother and the agitation of breastfeeding appears . In addition, and unfortunately, tandem breastfeeding is not widely accepted in our society and the mother may feel judged by her environment.
Finally, it should be noted that breastfeeding in tandem should be a decision made by each family , after having previously informed themselves.
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