A resource to inspire, inform and empower parents.

This is Exley

Abby Theuring, The Badass Breastfeeder, breastfeeding her son

This is Exley. He is 20 months old. He breastfeeds a lot. Like 7,582 times during the day and 10,498 times during the night. We share a bed so he wakes up, latches on and goes back to sleep. He nurses to sleep, to wake up, for comfort, before he eats, after he eats, when he’s resting and all other times too. He is loud. His voice booms in your chest and pierces your ears. He likes to follow his big brother around. Exley thinks he can do everything his big brother can do and falling on his head never holds him back. People often wonder if I get criticized for breastfeeding both Exley and his big brother, Jack (4.5 years old). I do online, but not in my real life. I wouldn’t keep critics in my life anyway. My close friends and family support my decision. Extended family and acquaintances seem to keep comments to themselves if they have any. I plan to breastfeed both of them as long as they want. It’s not always fun, but it works for us. It’s far more than food; it’s comfort, security, attachment, bonding and nurturance. I believe that allowing them to wean in their own time will lead to independence, high self-esteem, health and a sense of connection to their family and the world. I don’t think nursing Jack takes anything away from Exley. I think Exley gains a unique relationship with his brother along with all the other “perks” of breastfeeding.

Tandem Nursing in a Ball Pit

Abby Theuring, The Badass Breastfeeder, tandem nursing in a ball pit

Jack (4.5 years) and I started a game where we fell into the foam pit backwards. Exley (18 months) started to join in. One of the times Exley came over and flopped onto my chest. He pulled at my shirt, Jack saw this and yelled, “boobie time!” They both latched on for about a minute and then I said, “ok, that’s good!” And then we started to play again. [Read more…]

4th Trimester Bodies Project Photo Shoot

Abby Theuring, The Badass Breastfeeder, tandem nursing.

I’m so fat.

I’m disgusting.

I’m so gross. [Read more…]

Ivette Ivens Photo Shoot – Tandem Dreams

Tandem nursing doesn’t look like this in my everyday life. But it’s exactly how I feel as a woman, mother and tandem nurser.

Abby Theuring, The Badass Breastfeeder, tandem nursing

11 Tandem Nursing Myths Busted

By Abby Theuring, MSW and Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC

The amount of misinformation about breastfeeding is staggering so it’s sort of surprising to me that when it comes to tandem breastfeeding the problem is that there is very little information at all! Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, FILCA and I (both of us have tandem nursed) are here to help you navigate the world of tandem nursing myths. [Read more…]

Breastfeeding Evolves: Tandem Nursing Challenges

On the real tip, I don’t like breastfeeding Jack anymore. It’s hard to say it. That’s my precious first born. The one who made me a mother. The one who showed me the beauty in breastfeeding. First, breastfeeding was the thing I wanted most in life. Then when I got it I was the happiest I had ever been. And 3 years later it’s now the most frustrating and emotionally overwhelming thing I have ever experienced. Breastfeeding evolves, like everything else. [Read more…]

I Did Not Stub My Toe Today: Breastfeeding Success

By guest blogger Cyndi

Cyndi breastfeeding

I have been nursing my oldest for 35.5 months and counting and nursing my youngest so far for 1 week.

I did not stub my toe today. [Read more…]