Question for Barb

[HotI]

Hi Barb

I was talking to my Mum about breastfeeding and she said when i was a bub she was advised to feed from one breast, then swap to other breast, and back to first breast (if bub was still hungry).

I understand the current recommendation is to make sure you drain the first breast, then offer the second side to bub.

Have the official recommendations changed over time, or was Mum given misinformation, or am i mistaken?

My bub is taking one side most feeds, but i am trying to encourage the second side, to help bub increase weight gains. How do i know when the first breast is 'empty'? Are there problems if i switch too early?

thanks,

Kate

[Barb Glare]

Hi
There are all sorts of way to feed a baby, and they are all good! It's worth experimenting with whatworks for you, and trying not to get hung up on the "shoulds". In the early days most mums have a relative oversupply. One breast is enough. Over time babies get bigger ans stronger-able to qi kly drain a breast. It seems that maybe 2/3 of the available milk is delivered with the first letdown. Babies are hardwired to suck and ma y would stay on the one breast happily all day - totally blissed put on their
mum. But the would possibly get more milk if they got both breasts. Remember, weightgain is only one part of the picture

[~clover~]

Hi hun.
I'm not Barb, but I just wanted to let you know my experience. I was always under the impression that bubs needed both sides at every feed, so when DS was only feeding from one side I was a bit confused. I did try the second side, but it never was taken. Then I had a lady at the chemist say that because he was feeding 2 hourly, he needed that second side. I listened & decided to feed him on the first, then detatch & feed him from the second.
Big mistake. Within a few days I was severely engorged & had lumps under my breasts that felt like massive bruises. Blocked ducts. So I ditched the advice & went back to one side at a feed. Everything fixed itself & I was very relieved!!
I fed til he either slept, or detatched himself, then I would sometimes do a nappy change & try the second in case he was still hungry, but he rarely took it. I eventually didn't worry about offering as it was never taken & if he wanted it he'd let me know.
So, after all that! I'd say follow your babies lead If she seems happy with just one side, then I'd leave it at that. Your milk will produce to how the baby feeds If you feed & she falls alseep, but wakes in a few minutes, she might be wanting the second side.

[Kmn]

If swapping sides wakes Abby up and makes her likely to drink more then it would be worth doing! - One option is to give her side 1 for a few minutes, then let her drink side 2 completely. This is based on the idea that the initial flow is faster and hence she will get more out at the start.
What could "go wrong" is if things are really fast and oversupplied then she may get more lactose and less fat than if she finishes one breast completely first - this will lead to farty grumpy baby.

[Jennifer13]

I found when DD was a newborn she had both sides, then she settled into only one side per feed for a few months (ie during my initial oversupply period) and then she went back to wanting both sides per feed. I just followed her lead. She'd soon let me know what she wanted! My bbs soon learnt what was required of them. I don't think you really need to over-analyse the process.