Tips for Taking Care of Mom While Tandem Nursing

Breastfeeding can be difficult when it's only one baby so it's understandable that tandem nursing poses its own set of challenges. While it is hard at times it is worth it in the long run since you are providing your children the best start in life with the wonderful benefits breastfeeding allows.

The extent of your struggles or lack of them may depend on the ages of your children and frequency of their nursing sessions. Another important aspect is their personalities, ability to understand what's going on as well as the amount of nutrition they are getting exclusively from breast milk.

First of all you need to take care of yourself. This includes eating well and nourishing your body. Nursing mothers generally are hungry more often than those who are not nursing. It may be similar to how hungry you were during pregnancy or you may even find yourself to be starving all the time. You are burning extra calories and your body is still recuperating from giving birth. Eat when you are hungry and eat healthy whole foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Don't skip a meal and eat plenty of snacks throughout the day. It is easy to get so busy caring for your children that you completely forget to eat.

Continue taking your prenatal vitamins or another adequate dietary supplement. The additional iron and other minerals are important for you and your nursing baby and older child.

Keep hydrated! This is very important for maintaining your milk supply and to keep your own body feeling healthy. You will have more energy if you drink enough water each day. A good idea is to fill up a large bottle with water and make sure you have it by your side each time you sit down to nurse. Try to limit the amount of caffeinated beverages you consume as well as alcohol since they are known to pass through breast milk. This doesn't mean you have to skip that morning cup of coffee or beer with your dinner but be aware that what you are taking in is going into two other bodies as well.

Get plenty of rest. Okay so this one is not as easy as the above especially with a new baby and a nursing toddler but it is still super important. Try to master nursing on your side at least with one child so you can maximize your night time sleeping. If you only have the two children or are lucky enough to have kids that nap during the day, plan their nap schedules so that everyone is resting at the same time. You may just be able to get an hour or two of sleep yourself each day if this is an option. If this is unlikely to occur, consider finding someone to help out with the older children especially the first few months. Motherhood is tiring, nursing one baby is exhausting, and two breast feeding can cause definite sleep deprivation.

Get out of the house and find some time for yourself. It's easier said than done but mother's need a break sometimes. Particularly if you are nursing more than one child you need some time alone or with friends. Play dates with other moms and their kids will help out with feelings of isolation and boredom but you will still have the responsibility of caring for your children at that time. Try to plan something just for you. Ask grandma to baby sit or your sister or good friend. Get out and take a walk when your husband is home or go get your hair cut all by yourself. It can do wonders for how you are feeling, even just an hour or two without some little person needing you.

Join a support group such as La Leche League or even an online mother's group that encourages breastfeeding, even nursing two. It's helpful to connect with other mother's who are in your situation since tandem nursing is not the most mainstream occurrences this day and age. Otherwise you may feel even more isolated and frustrated and wean before you or your nurslings are truly ready.

Find comfort in knowing that you won't be tandem nursing forever. Eventually your older child will wean and then your baby will as well. They are only little once and in the big picture this precious time goes so quickly. You are doing an amazing job mothering and while tandem nursing two small children has it's moments of frustration it is one of the best gifts you can give these tiny people.