Taking Care of Elderly Siblings While Breastfeeding

Many mothers who breastfeed their newborns are concerned about how their older children will react to nursing sessions and how to keep older siblings entertained during frequent early breastfeeding sessions. It’s safe to assume that all of your children will be fascinated by this amazing and beautiful method of feeding a newborn baby. Such “family time” may turn out to be a positive and educational experience for all if you explain the nursing process in simple language and maintain a matter-of-fact approach to their questions and desire to watch the baby breastfeed.

Expect your older children to hover nearby during nursing sessions or even attempt to climb into your lap. Include them if you can by telling them about how you used to breastfeed them (if you did), giving them a little hug with your free arm, telling them a story, or simply watching them draw a picture, work in a workbook, or play with a toy.

Some mothers use nursing sessions to listen to music or read children’s stories to their babies’ siblings. Nursing time can thus be used to get closer to all of the children, not just the new ones.

Older children may be grateful for the opportunity to express their feelings of closeness by folding laundry nearby, getting you a glass of water, holding the baby while you prepare to nurse, or otherwise contributing to their family’s care.

If your toddler or preschooler asks to try nursing, the decision is clearly yours. Most children who are no longer breastfed may find the experience too strange to repeat. She will most likely forget how to nurse and will flee, satisfied, after a brief experiment.

If you already have a nursing toddler who does not want to give up the breast when your new baby arrives, or if you believe that now is not the time to start weaning, you may decide to tandem nurse both the toddler and the newborn. If this is the case, notify your newborn’s paediatrician so that your infant’s growth can be closely monitored.

Keep in mind that, while your older child can consume foods and liquids from other sources, your infant is completely dependent on your breast milk for nutrition. As a result, offer your infant the breast first, and nurse your older child only after your infant has had her fill. Also, keep a closer eye on your own nutrition and energy levels. You’ll need to eat well enough to support the production of extra breast milk, as well as get enough rest to handle the additional demands on your body. Your baby’s paediatrician will be aware of all of these issues and will be able to assist you in dealing with them.

You may be wondering if the newborn will still benefit from colostrum during tandem nursing. Mother’s milk analysis reveals that even if the mother is still nursing a toddler, she produces colostrum and milk designed to meet the needs of the newborn. This provides the desired benefits for the newborn while having no negative consequences for the older child.