offering both breasts each feed??

[nickynora]

Lo is 6 1/2 weeks old, in beginning she used to have both breasts each feed then a few weeks ago seemd to become satisfied with just one breast each time. Should I continue to offer both breasts each time? If I offer she'll take it but I dont feel 'empty' after, plus she doesn't go any longer between feeds by having both. She is satisfied with just one but worry I should be offering both?!

She's also become fussy at the end of the feed, she starts trashing about and pulling her head back and loses her latch then re attaches? Is this normal? I don't think her latch is fantastic, but not too worried as it doesn't hurt, and she's gaining weight amazingly well (already 9lb 11oz! Was 7lb @ birth).

Any advice greatly recieved

 

[nabo86]

hi - not sure if its ok but my dd only ever has one breast at a time - i've given up offering both unless she seems hungry after emptying the first breast as it just seems to make her a bit distressed... she has also started to empty a breast in about 7/8 minutes!

we went through a period where she was becoming really fussy at the end of a feed - I wasn't sure if it was just the weather or if something was wrong - the HV wasn't overly concerned about it as she is putting on weight. I started giving her a dummy sometimes after a feed as she was sucking but then coming off and letting the milk run out of her mouth!

she was 9lbs 5oz born and was 12lbs 5oz at her last weigh-in at 6 weeks so I don't feel concerned - maybe i should be..?

 

[Rachel_C]

Once you're past the stage of wanting to make sure they're getting enough fluids/newborn jaundice/sleepy newborn etc, it's best just to go with what your LO is asking for, if you can. The baby really knows best what they need so I would just follow her lead unless you spot something is wrong. It's easier and it's healthier - win win!

 

[toby1331]

My LO only nurses from one side. Just try and remember which side you nursed from last so you can offer the other one next time.

 

[nickynora]

Thanks ladies

Think I'll just stick to how things are, and only offer second breast if she still seems hungry after the first. Seems to be working so far.

She's content after her feeds and is putting on weight well (nearly 3lbs in 6 weeks) and we're both happy so think we'll manage lol.

As far as the fussiness is concerned I think I'll just keep an eye on it, she already has a dummy as I was finding she spent a lot of time suckling for comfort.

Thanks for the advice x

 

[seaweed eater]

It's better to let her empty one than to only partially drain both. Better for regulating your supply, and better foremilk/hindmilk balance for LO.

 

[CupcakeBaby]

The fussiness could be wind?

My dd really cries at the end of a feed and its due to wind. I just have to wait it out but a big burp comes eventually.

It's frustrating as she thinks she wants more to eat but if I give her more she only sucks and swallows once and then goes back to crying. Once the burps are out she stops fussing.

We only do 1 breast most feeds but sometimes towards the end of the day she's not satisfied so gets the second.

 

[MissCurly]

my boy must be greedy he's always fed from both, but i try and remember which he fed from last and begin there.

and as someone suggested gas- winding might help and take it from there.

 

[ourfate]

I only feed from one side at a time! I use hair clip to remember which side I did also haha

 

[megrenade]

YOU WANT YOUR BABY TO GET MORE HINDMILK; offer ONE breast per side until the baby isn't getting anything out, then offer the other. Otherwise baby is only getting watered-down, sugary milk which can make them very fussy and not satisfied for very long.

 

[Calif]

My LO always takes both for 25 min or so each so my feedings last an hour. I let him go on one until he pops off twice in a row. When he fusses I found its because ether he has a stuffy nose or the flow of milk is really slow or stopped an he's still very hungry so I switch to the other side and he's happy again.

 

[nickynora]

YOU WANT YOUR BABY TO GET MORE HINDMILK; offer ONE breast per side until the baby isn't getting anything out, then offer the other. Otherwise baby is only getting watered-down, sugary milk which can make them very fussy and not satisfied for very long.

She always has one breast till she's done, and is satisfied with that almost always. She will go a good 2 hours or more between feeds and sleeps well too so I figured she's happy enough.

If I offer the second she wont empty it and doesn't go any long between feeds so figure she's just taking it because its there/for comfort etc?

 

[JenX]

Just follow baby's lead. If one side is enough, then it is fine. My baby generally only takes one side per feed as well, and she always gets plenty.