Baby Whisperer - a question about breastfeeding

[HandMini]

I have read the Secrets of the Baby Whisperer and generally thought it made a lot of sense, but one thing that I don't think is explained is the advice to feed from only one breast at each feed. Lots of other advice I have heard/read is to offer both breasts at each feed. Does anyone know why the Baby Whisperer advises differently - I can't find any reasoning in the book. Thanks in advance.

so am i doing it wrong or not? she never seems to want the other side

If she doesn't want it, she doesn't want it, that's fine.

If you offer her the other side and she doesn't want it, then that's fine.

Follow your baby's cues - some will want both sides and some only one. If she only wants one side then that's fine.

I agree that the Baby Whisperer's advice on breastfeeding shows very poor understanding. I am an NCT breastfeeding counsellor and I have had many calls from mothers in some distress who have been trying to follow what she says and their babies are not happy and in some cases are not feeding well or enough.

The only 'rule' about 'one side or both' is to respond to what your baby seems to indicate she wants - in the early days, it makes sense to deliberately offer the second breast (and even the third, fourth and fifth :) with cluster feeds which are normal for babies of all ages at times ) but the baby may or may not take it. You get used to responding to your baby, not a book :)

There is so much other bf stuff in the BW which is plain wrong.

NYB, if your baby is doing well and you are both happy, then that's great - but you did not need the book!

Dear everyone, thank you so much for the varied and helpful responses. I had no idea that the BW was so widely viewed to be unhelpful on breastfeeding advice, so I shall just keep on doing what others have advised which is offer both breasts at all feeds - my daughter seems to do fine with that method so far in any case.