[Latchkey Princess]

I am currently nursing my newborn and my toddler. My toddler is nursing about 3-4 times a day. I'm not entirely sure what my caloric needs are at the moment. Does anyone know? Thanks!

[lovinlifex2]

I am not sure about your question, but am so excited to see that someone else is brave enough to try tandem nursing. People look at me like I am crazy when I tell them I am going to tandem nurse this new baby and my one year old.

I am excited to hear about your experiences with it and how it is going for you.

[kestrel]

When #3 was born I was (well, for the first few months I was triandem nursing) tandem nursing my babe and 2 year old. I was doing WW Online so I don't know exactly how many calories I was intaking, but I just went with the regular amount of extra Points recommended for exclusively breastfeeding mothers.

Maybe just go along with what your calorie needs should be for breastfeeding one, and keep a close eye on your supply and how your energy level and weight loss goes? Good luck! I'll be back on the tandem nursing wagon again come June, my 16 month old isn't anywhere near weaning yet.

[MeganBeth]

I'm not full on tandem nursing, but will be pumping for DS1 so I'm a bit confused as to what I should be doing calorie wise once i start loosing as well.

[Latchkey Princess]

Thanks ladies.

Kestrel~ I think I'm going to take your advice and just try keeping my eye on my supply and energy level and go from there. As of right now I'm still in the engorgement stage, so we'll see how things go once my supply evens out in a few weeks.

lovinlife~ Tandem nursing is so amazing! I'm so glad I didn't make my 23 month old wean before she was ready. People look at me funny too when I tell them I'm nursing both kids, but I try not to pay attention to them. The toughest part is getting a schedule down since my toddler wants to nurse whenever my baby does. Sometimes I just end up criss-crossing them on my lap and nursing them both at the same time. It's fun trying to nurse them and keep their feet out of each others faces. lol

[VeggieGirl84]

good question....I'm nursing a 3 wk old and sometimes my 20 month old (he's starting to lose interest).

[SaySumthing]

Congratulations on tandem nursing. I was all prepared to nurse both my boys after my second son was born, but my first naturally weaned in the month before the second was born.

How old is your newborn? Depending on your answer, if your answer is less than 6 weeks, I would say, absolutely, positively, do not calorie restrict at all. Making milk for the little one is the most important thing you can do to establish a strong milk supply for your little one. If you're beyond that, they say 300-500 kcals additional for nursing, so I'd say you probably have one 500 kcal baby (newborn) and one 300 kcal toddler - so about 800 calories. But keep in mind, that's in addition to needing a pretty generous baseline number, too. Again, depending on the age of your newborn, you are still healing from the pregnancy and you do not want to severely restrict your calories for any of your health. I would guess than anything below 2200/day could get you into trouble.

Good luck!