How do I know.....

[Blanco]

I've heard people say they feed from one breast until baby is finished then offer the other breast but how do I know baby has finished with breast number one and to move on to the next? Does number one run out of milk or something?

 

[tiggy85]

You will never truly be empty as baby can get a few drops, but when they say finished, it generally means when the flow really slows and they are not getting much other than a few drops, baby will usually say when this is by coming off the breast. You usually offer the other breast to see if they are still hungry. If they take it then that's fine if not they should be satisfied from one breast.

You will however get to know your own baby. Mine was fussy at the boob for the first few months and would bob on and off a few times every few mins, so I would keep him on the same boob until he made it more obvious he was done on that side (refused to relatch) . Then swap him to the other side. Turns out he was a bit lazy and liked the initial few mins of the feed as this was the sweeter and faster flowing milk!

 

[CamFi]

I used to do ten minutes on the first side, then as long as she wanted on the second side, usually was another 10-15min. Just alternate which boob you start with.

 

[ScotchEgg]

Mine has always come off when he's finished. He didn't take the second breast at all so I stopped offering it until he was about 4 or 5 months when he suddenly started crying for more after a feed. He started going a lot longer between feeds then as well.

 

[Blanco]

Thanks ladies he has been very irritable maybe he isn't cluster feeding after allYbe I just need to offer other breast so he gets full.

 

[naomip]

Also if they fall asleep at the breast it could mean the flow has slowed down. X

 

[Blanco]

He always falls asleep should I wake him for other side ? (Or try)

 

[jojo_2012]

I wouldn't unless you think he isn't getting enough or is easy to rouse. That was the advice from my bf consultant. My son always switched from one to the other several times during a feed it's what suits the individual.

 

[Maud]

My HV wants me to offer both but I struggle to do so as we've both got used to feeding off one at a time. I do worry that we 'should' be doing it though and whether she will continue being able to get enough milk off just one at a time. But my nipples are still very sore and her latch inconsistent so am not hugely keen to increase the frequency she feeds off each side...

 

[ScotchEgg]

We fed from one side a feed for months and he was just fine from it. Your body adjusts. If she is happy and gaining weight it's going well. HV always pester you to do things the way they feel is right but sometimes that's not right for everyone. Or you'll see a different HV the next week and they'll advise you to do the opposite!!!