Breastfeeding one baby can be tough. But imagine being a mom who’s nursing two kids at once. Those who do it say it’s extremely rewarding, although not without challenges
1. “The transition to feeding two at a time was hard for me in the beginning. It was an intensified sensation when both children latched. I knew it was my new normal, but getting to ‘normal’ took my body some time. [And] it was overwhelming figuring out the positioning at first. Newborns are more fragile than active toddlers. However, once we got that down, the rest was smooth sailing.” —Jill DeLorenzo, Ashburn, Virginia.
“Breastfeeding just one child at a time can have enough challenges, so you can imagine how the smallest challenge can feel so compounded when breastfeeding more than one. [But] I am a full-time working mom, and I also cherished the opportunity to reconnect with my children and for them to connect with each other without concerns of jealousy. At first, tandem nursing felt overwhelming, and there was a point that we were all in tears. But that stage was fleeting and what replaced it was the most amazing, indescribable bond that was forged between us, which I witnessed daily when my daughter would hold my son’s hand and gaze at him while they were both nursing. My children are now 7 and 4, and while they squabble like any other siblings, they share a powerful bond that is unbreakable.” —Katie Bouyea, Jupiter, Florida
“Tandem-ing is both amazing and not so amazing. It shifts by the day, sometimes by the hour. There are times when I want to just nurse one or not be touched, like, at all. But they both need me. Some days, it’s emotionally, mentally, and physically taxing. Other days, I’m grateful for the fact that I am able to provide them comfort and food with such an awesome bond.” —Micah Woodbury, Long Beach, Californi
4. “Some days, I feel like a dairy cow and getting touched out is a real thing. But when they’re sick, they nurse and stay hydrated. When they get hurt, they nurse and feel better. When they’re sad, they nurse and feel comforted. When they’re tired, they nurse and gently fall asleep. When they have a bad dream, they nurse and go back to sleep.” —Andrea Smart, Bloomington, Indiana
“This is our normal. It is not always this pretty, my hair isn’t always down, and my kids don’t always have clothes on, but this is what it looks like for us. Breastfeeding allows me a time to be present with my girls where nothing else matters. As a single mom working long hours, intentional, connected time with my girls is invaluable.” —Chelsea Craig, Corpus Christi, Texas
