I got this query today from a friend who is pregnant with her fifth child and is still nursing the 4th, who will be 2 at the end of this month. He still nurses frequently, including several times at night. She believes very strongly in the nurturing and comforting aspect of bf, but she is considering weaning the 2 year old before she gives birth. She has many concerns about this, and they all pretty much stumped me, having never been in this situation or worked with any moms who have. First, she wonders if weaning him now will make him even more jealous of the new baby, who will then have exclusive access to the breast. Or, she wonders if she doesn't wean him, if he will be jealous when the new baby shares the breast that once was his alone. I hope that makes sense. Also, she asked me if she continues to nurse right up to the birth, if she will still experience the sore, cracked nipples she says she experienced in the first weeks of nursing the other four babies. (She has never tandem-nursed before). In that regard, I was only able to explain that sore, cracked nipples are not an automatic accompaniment to breastfeeding. She did say she didn't know much about what "correct" positioning and latch were, but she muddled through and the pain eventually went away. I think that if I am there (and she assures me she will call me) to check everything we can prevent the soreness, but I'm not sure how to advise her on what effect tandem nursing will have on the whole thing. Comments and suggestions welcome! Nancy Kramer Peer Counselor Port Angeles, WA