How to know when LO is finished with one breast & ready for the other?

[gringuitica]

I've been watching some bf how-to videos today -- want to try out a few additional positions -- and the women have mentioned several times that when baby is finished with one breast, you should switch to the other. That's great advice, but my question is, how do you know when baby is finished?

[momtomy3]

I switch my LO when she starts pulling back and forth on my nipple with her mouth or kicking like she's getting frustrated. I don't know if this is right, but it makes her happy. Haha

[mibarra]

For me, I would feed baby on one breast until she acted either 'done' (pulled off, starting biting, etc), or frustrated, then offer the other. Of course, my LO was super efficient, and only every nursed for 5-10 minutes 1 breast per feeding....

[eliz7]

I would be sure to do at least 15-20 on one side, then burp/change if needed and then offer the other.

[gringuitica]

Good advice/thoughts, thanks. From what you've said, I guess DS needs to switch when he pulls off, starts rooting again, takes the nipple, and then pulls off, roots, takes the nipple again. Repeat until Mommy gets it! I guess that means he has emptied the one side?

[syntaxerror]

I've been switching him when I get bored and feel like the other side is too full. I feel like he'd latch on and stay there all day if I'd let him; he'll spend an hour or better eating before I decide it's time to be done for a while and let him nap as it is.

[Greenebean214]

DD is a one boob at a time nurser. In the beginning, she would pull off and relatch like 20 times and that was the sign that she was done. I would burp her, then offer the other breast. She usually didn't take it unless it was during a growth spurt.

[jackyl08]

For the most part, DS only takes one side at a time, but I know he's done when he pulls back and either unlatches or starts fussing. At this point, he's taking like a boob and a half, LOL. He will usually nurse on the second side for five minutes or so and fall asleep.

[clothforyourangel]

When they stop sucking or fall asleep. We usually got onto a one-breast per feeding schedule here too.

[3ringcircus]

When they slow down or stop swallowing, you know the milk's running out.