Diaper Swappers

Aubrey<3Gavin · 01-09-2012, 01:33 PM

I know most moms when they talk about breast feeding say they feed on one side for a little while then switch to the second breast. What is the purpose in this? Is it okay to feed only from one side? My LO is nearly 10 weeks. I've always feed from one breast at each feeding. Is that okay? Pros/Cons?

stevensmom · 01-09-2012, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aubrey<3Gavin

I know most moms when they talk about breast feeding say they feed on one side for a little while then switch to the second breast. What is the purpose in this? Is it okay to feed only from one side? My LO is nearly 10 weeks. I've always feed from one breast at each feeding. Is that okay? Pros/Cons?

I've always just fed from one side and if they seemed hungry still I would offer the other side

**I do know how to spell...my iPod on the other hand does not**

mibarra · 01-09-2012, 01:52 PM

My baby would only take 1 side per feeding, so she got the other next time. Some babies will eat from both at a feeding. I always offered both, but she was never interested. You should only switch if baby seems done on the 1st breast, then acts hungry. If you switch too quickly they get too much foremilk. If that makes sense.

bigmamakelsey · 01-09-2012, 02:32 PM

It's good to switch sides every time if you remember, because you want your milk production to be even in both breasts. I would use a hair tie on my wrist on the "time to nurse" side so I would remember. It's best to feed completely on one side, and even if baby latches off, offer the other side. It's important with a newborn to try and empty the main breast you're feeding on that session completely, to avoid mastitis, even milk production, and make sure the baby is getting the hind milk.

OHIOFIFI · 01-09-2012, 07:27 PM

My DD only nursed on one side at a time but DS will nurse from both. I agree with the other pp who said to nurse on one side and at least offer the 2nd side. Sometimes DS only nurses on the 2nd side for a minute or two, or sometimes he doesn't want the 2nd side at all. DS can also be a sleepy eater so I switch him from side to side to keep him awake and eating sometimes. Otherwise, he uses me as a paci and then wakes up a little while later hungry so I end up nursing him constantly. But do as pp said and make sure baby drains each side so baby gets the hindmilk and you keep your supply up.

tibeca · 01-09-2012, 08:14 PM

Whether you need to switch is greatly dependent on your breasts' milk capacity (which is independent of breast size) and your baby's stomach capacity.

Some babies will only nurse from one side each feeding. Some babies want both sides. Some babies change their minds from one feed to the next depending on hunger. Do what is working. As long as your baby is gaining properly and you aren't suffering from mastitis, there's no need to change anything.

trying4more · 01-10-2012, 10:50 AM

My babies usually only feed from one side per feed. I just make sure that the boob is totally drained because the fatty milk at the end. If they want more after the first boob is finished, then I offer the other breast. If that breast isn't totally drained, then I offer that breast again at the next feeding.
I keep a breast pad on the NON nursing side to know which side to nurse next.

01-09-2012, 01:33 PM	#1
Aubrey<3Gavin Registered Users Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Atlanta Posts: 789 Ratings: 14 Feedback: 100%	need to switch at every feeding? I know most moms when they talk about breast feeding say they feed on one side for a little while then switch to the second breast. What is the purpose in this? Is it okay to feed only from one side? My LO is nearly 10 weeks. I've always feed from one breast at each feeding. Is that okay? Pros/Cons? __________________ Aubrey, married to Gavin 9/14/2008 Mama to Annabelle 11/02/2011 I'm an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner! http://www.kingdomkonsultant.com ISO girly BG 4.0 aplix!

01-09-2012, 01:52 PM	#3
mibarra Registered Users Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 6,135 Ratings: 88 Feedback: 100%	Re: need to switch at every feeding? My baby would only take 1 side per feeding, so she got the other next time. Some babies will eat from both at a feeding. I always offered both, but she was never interested. You should only switch if baby seems done on the 1st breast, then acts hungry. If you switch too quickly they get too much foremilk. If that makes sense.

01-09-2012, 02:32 PM	#4
bigmamakelsey Registered Users Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Montana Posts: 9,527 Ratings: 159 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: need to switch at every feeding? It's good to switch sides every time if you remember, because you want your milk production to be even in both breasts. I would use a hair tie on my wrist on the "time to nurse" side so I would remember. It's best to feed completely on one side, and even if baby latches off, offer the other side. It's important with a newborn to try and empty the main breast you're feeding on that session completely, to avoid mastitis, even milk production, and make sure the baby is getting the hind milk. __________________ K&K My little firecracker Lennon 10.09, crying before he fully emerged and My little sweetheart Indi 6.12, born smiling

01-09-2012, 07:27 PM	#5
OHIOFIFI Registered Users Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 511 Ratings: 15 Feedback: 100%	Re: need to switch at every feeding? My DD only nursed on one side at a time but DS will nurse from both. I agree with the other pp who said to nurse on one side and at least offer the 2nd side. Sometimes DS only nurses on the 2nd side for a minute or two, or sometimes he doesn't want the 2nd side at all. DS can also be a sleepy eater so I switch him from side to side to keep him awake and eating sometimes. Otherwise, he uses me as a paci and then wakes up a little while later hungry so I end up nursing him constantly. But do as pp said and make sure baby drains each side so baby gets the hindmilk and you keep your supply up. __________________ Faith - WOHM to DD born 10/2006 DS born 8/2011 :

01-09-2012, 08:14 PM	#6
tibeca Registered Users Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1,597 Ratings: 49 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: need to switch at every feeding? Whether you need to switch is greatly dependent on your breasts' milk capacity (which is independent of breast size) and your baby's stomach capacity. Some babies will only nurse from one side each feeding. Some babies want both sides. Some babies change their minds from one feed to the next depending on hunger. Do what is working. As long as your baby is gaining properly and you aren't suffering from mastitis, there's no need to change anything.