EBFers

Panda53321

Would you mind sharing with me what your bfing "schedule" was like in the first couple of weeks? I ebf KJ and truthfully I found it very easy (but I had a great supply and most of the women in my family ebf too, so I was "used" to it).  I am really wondering what it's like with two.  Also when did you start tandem feedings?  I was reading a book and it said not to start tandem for at least a month, which seemed crazy to me b/c I have a toddler too and I would never get to see him b/c all that I would be doing would be bfing.

TIA for helping a crazy MoM to be out.

ravenmama

I wouldn't exactly say we had a "schedule" the first few weeks.  Basically they ate every 2 hrs if I remember correctly.  I tried to always feed them together or as close together as possible.  I started tandem feeding when they were a week old.  It was tricky, but well worth the effort.  I really saved a lot of time.  Good luck!

lutzcowgirlie

No schedule, but like pp said, every 1 1/2 - 2 hours during the day the first few weeks, waking every three at night. I started tandem feeding in the hospital, because - like you - I had a toddler at home and knew I needed to be able to do two at once whenever possible.

 

Your success with your first is a great first step towards success with these two!

lovethe1story

Hi

The first few weeks was mostly every 2.5-3 hours (sometimes more often for dd). ?I 'tried' tandem feeding in the hospital on day 1. ?The nurse recommended it and I had dh, nurse, lc, and mom there to help...it wasn't super successful, but it was a try. ?I tried to tandem feed at least once a day the first week and it seriously was an 'it takes a village' scenario. ?Again, dh, mom, and lc were there to get us into position at least twice in the beginning. ?I did get the hang of it though. ?Then I would try to up the tandem feeds to twice a day, then 3, then all. ?I remember feeling like we all 'got it' at 6 weeks. ?I say got it, meaning it was actually easy. ?I was able to bf successfully before that, but it felt like work. ?Also, ds had a surgery at 5 weeks and he had been sort of a crab apple before that. ?At 6 weeks I started a fairly strict nursing schedule of 8, 11, 2, 5, 8 and then whenever they woke up at night.

HTH

Let me know if you need any more info! ?

BTW-I just weaning now (at 13 months). ?We have had a great year of ebfing!

Trina?

Skatcat

I'm surprised your book says to wait a month to tandem feed...that's silly! If you can do it, definitely go for it! I've been tandem feeding since we were in the hospital, but I usually do need DH to help me because DD is sort of tough to latch on properly.

 

tbonegrl

Every 3 hours, and I started tandem feeding as soon as I could.