Pam, This is Shirley M. in Phoenix, and I tanden nursed my second and third child together for 3 years. #2 child was 18 mos. when her brother was born. He weighted 9lb. 10 oz. Very healthy. I nursed both of them until a week before baby #4, who weight 7 lb., 8 oz. My hemoglobin was 14-15 with the last two deliveries, so good nutrition as well as zinc and other vitamin supplements made me feel comfortable nursing through. I don't see birth defects being a concern, it's not logical. You need to watch for premature contractions, or premature labor, and eat well. Mothers have done this for centuries. I believe the body cares for the newborn baby first, and then provides for the nurslings who are usually also eating table foods. Hope you lie down a lot. I found it was sooo important to rest with the kids. Shirley Morris, RN, IBCLC, LMT *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html