by Claire Connolly

Created on: July 19, 2008   Last Updated: May 11, 2011

Tandem nursing is when a mother breastfeeds two siblings of different ages, not necessarily simultaneously. Some women have even been known to tandem nurse more than two children. In order to tandem nurse, the mother must breastfeed her older child throughout her pregnancy and afterward breastfeed both children. A breastfeeding mother who finds herself pregnant must make a decision on whether to continue to breastfeed her oldest child or wean the child off the breast completely. It can be a tough decision but considering all of the facts should help pregnant breastfeeding mothers come to a well informed decision.

There are some general concerns about breastfeeding while pregnant that need to be addressed. Some worry that the mother will simply be unable to cope with the stress of a pregnancy as well as breastfeeding. Some suspect the unborn child will be malnourished and even more worry about the chances of premature labour due to the uterine contractions experienced by nursing mothers. On the other hand is the not so unreasonable amount of guilt that the mother may feel if she sacrifices one child's breastfeeding habits for another child's. Why shouldn't both children reap the benefits and how can she choose which child receives the best nutrition? These are typical concerns and as it is an important decision in the long run, it is good to take all of these issues into account.

The decision belongs to the mother. The chances of premature labour due to breastfeeding would be very low and only considered a possible risk if the mother has some sort of medical problem or a history of miscarriage. Generally if she has to abstain from other activities then weaning her older child off the breast may be the best bet. Even though they know that it is safe to breastfeed during pregnancy, a lot of mothers would probably worry every time they felt the uterus contract so it may be a lot less stressful for them to wean their child off the breast. As for the body being able to handle breastfeeding while pregnant, it shouldn't be a problem as long as the mother is well nourished. Both pregnancy and breastfeeding can take their toll on a woman's body but if she is healthy and well prepared then she shouldn't have anything to worry about. If she loses a lot of weight or the baby has a slow growth rate then perhaps breastfeeding won't be an option but many women are capable of it. It's important to have a healthy diet plan and extra supplements that are safe during pregnancy

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