If they pull off, I will give bubs a back rub/burp, then stick them on the other side. Some nights they laze and will take awhile to feed, when they get older they get really efficient and draining those boobs! DD took one side at a time often, then would have both.
If I remember rightly bubs fed for up to 30mins each side in the early days, then got it down to about 10 on each side in a few months.
GCD, not all babies even need burping. Usually, as Lulu said, mums try to burp when the baby pulls off and before changing sides. There is no hard and fast rule though, and if no wind comes up, don't worry. The vomitting is very normal also and nothing to worry about.
Just one other thing (sorry to overload you with so much information), it is best to feed from one side until the baby is finished, and then offer the second side (that is, don't "time" the feed on the first breast and move him to the other side because the time is up). In the early days babies don't often take the second side during a feed, but usually mums offer it anyway. One day when he is bigger he will probably start wanting it. And if he wants it now, that's ok too!
I have one more question. Sometimes, my baby falls asleep when I breastfeed him with one side. I burp him or change his nappy to wake him up; and then offer him the other side. He usually sucks for a much shorter time on the other side and falls asleep again. In this case, should I express my milk to a bottle for later feed? I heard more expressing could increase supply. Or, should I just let it be, and wait for him to wake up and have the next feed?
That's a good question. Expressing does increase supply, but your baby feeding increases it more. When supply is low, feeding more frequently is a better option than expressing between feeds, although both should help.
In the first 6 weeks it's important to get the "demand" set up so that the supply gets "set" to the right level. Usually it's not a good idea to express regularly during the early weeks as it can lead to an oversupply (which believe it or not can be a problem also). If you are feeling full and uncomfortable after a feed, it is best to express enough off so that you are more comfortable to reduce the risk of mastitis. Expressing until you are empty though is sending a signal to your breasts that your baby needs more milk, so isn't such a good idea. After the first 6 - 8 weeks, if you feel up to it, it is fine to start expressing to build up a store of EBM. But only if you want to!
Let it be chick - give yourself a break expressing ok? Bubs will tell your boobs how much to make, exp will interfere. Babies are the most efficient expressers!
Lucy in the sky with diamonds.
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