I am a former tandem mom myself. My daughter was close to three when my 
son came along and we tandem nursed for about 3 years. Son went solo for 
about a year after that. There isn't a whole lot of "scientific" 
information out there, but what I have gleaned is this:
1. Continuing to nurse while pregnant does not usually present any 
increased risk for preterm labor in most healthy mothers. Continuing to 
breastfeed does not rob the fetus of nutrients. Mom does have to make sure 
she eats a good quantity of nutritious food for her own health. Fatigue 
can be a problem.
2. During the middle of the pregnancy, milk supply goes down drastically. 
This can be an issue of the nursling is quite young and not able to meet 
nutritional needs thru solid foods yet. 
3. Colostrum is present as the birth time nears and has been detected and 
commented upon by verbal toddlers and preschoolers who are nursing while 
mom is pregant. The amount is going to be tailored to demand, so just like 
in a twins mom (theoretically), there is enough for each child. There does 
not seem to be any evidence that allowing the toddler to nurse up to (and 
during) labor "uses up" the colostrum. 
4. Unless the nursling is present at the birth and stays with mom for the 
first few hours or couple days after birth to nurse steadily, the newborn 
will get exclusive, uninterrupted breast time with mom. Think of most 
hospital visiting hours etc. as limiting the time the toddler stays with 
mom without any other advance planning required.
5. Tandem can be an advantage to the newborn. The older, more experienced 
nurser can get the milk flowing and increase supply if the 2nd born has 
suck problems (my own personal experience is with this).
6. Correct me if I'm wrong (and I know you all will...haha) but isn't it 
true that colostrum doesn't "go away" when mature milk comes it, it is 
just the ratio of components that changes?
7. The older nursing child will get "newborn" milk rather than the newborn 
getting "toddler" milk. Many mothers verify this by the presence of more 
frequent, soft, seedy yellow stools in their older child. This is not 
diarrhea, but the normal breastfed stool. 
8. For mothers who have chosen to tandem, they feel that their commitment 
to their older child's right to a child-led weaning is very important. To 
suggest that a mother wean her toddler based upon negligible proven risk 
to the fetus/newborn can be a very stressful, hurtful thing for her. If 
there seems to be valid reason for suggesting weaning the older child, 
this mother will place the burden of proof on the practitioner (as it 
should be). 
I hope some of this is helpful. You can email me privately to continue 
discussion. Tandem is near and dear to my heart!

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