One or two sided feeding?

[NoTeaForMe]

We saw the midwife today for the 5 day check, and when discussing feeding she said to just use one side per feed. That way one side can 'rest' and the other side will be properly drained. Now although this makes sense I am sure I was advised to offer both sides every time when I had my daughter 2.7 years ago! Has this advice changed or have I remembered it wrong? or was I doing it wrong last time?!

Thanks

[MiserableMe]

I would say offer both sides, second side after a decentish length of time on first and when it seems appropriate. Then abck again and again if you need to - swap as much as you like.
I don't think breasts particularly feel the need to put their feet up

[YoniFoolsAndHorses]

Depends on the baby! I had one that fully drained one side and almost drained the other (I then started on that aeons breast first at the next feed) and another baby who was always a one breast only babe.
Your midwife is talking nonsense about breasts needing a "rest". Yes, you produce milk in those times between feeds, but your body makes what your baby needs.
The most important thing is that you are feeding!!! I remember the 5-7 days being hell with both babes, and needing nipple shields temporarily just to get me through those few days.
You are feeding, and if your newborn is thriving and you can hang in there until breastfeeding gets magically easier, I think you are clearly doing a great job, one sided OR two sided...!

[noblegiraffe]

When baby comes off the first side, offer the second, if they take it, good, if not, also fine.

[NoTeaForMe]

Thanks all, Sorry, the midwife didn't mean that the breast needed a rest to re-charge, she meant that with sore nipples then a benefit would be that the nipples would have a chance to rest!

MW said that by offering only one breast per feed it will make sure it's drained totally and that she'll get all te fore milk and hind milk, rather than just taking off the foremilk from both sides.

[tiktok]

NoTea, your midwife is incorrect in making this general rule, and she needs a bit of retraining :(

There is no need for rules about 'one side only' - in fact, making this a rule can undermine breastfeeding.

The best thing is to follow your baby's lead, and when she shows she has had what she wants on side one, to allow her the opportunity to have side two....she may or may not take it every time, and that's ok.

But we don't need to 'rest' breasts or make sure each breast is 'properly drained'. Insisting on both sides every time or insisting on one side only every time - they're both misleading.

[tiktok]

thefunnyshapedwoman.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/foremilk-and-hindmilk-in-quest-of.html

www.analyticalarmadillo.co.uk/2010/07/foremilkhindmilk-and-lot-of-confusion.html

kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/basics/foremilk-hindmilk/