switch nursing - when to switch?

[smk84]

hi, I have 19 day old ds and have been doing switch nursing during cluster feeding. i am not sure when to switch though (havr brrn waiting for him to come off alone as have been advised never to end a feed myself) but after chat with nct lady today not sure this is right. should i switch when he stops actively sucking? it's hard to know when that is cos sometimes he seems to fall aslepp then gets going again. many thanks

Wait for him to come off. He may fall asleep in which case offer him the other side when he wakes up. If he seems to stop sucking for a bit try blowing on his face/ moving his arm to get him to start up again. He'll come off when he's properly asleep. Babies switch sucking rythms so sitching when he slows down may mean you are only letting him get the fore milk before switching. Let him tell you when he's done. Congratulations btw!

If feeding is going ok (baby seeming satisfied, plenty of wet nappies, gaining weight) then it's fine to let him come off one side himself before switching. If you think he needs to get more milk (for example if he's not gaining weight or is falling asleep before he's satisfied) then you can swich as soon as he stops actively sucking. It's a good idea to make sure you switch back to the first side again so that he gets the fattier milk as well, and offer as many sides as he'll take.

Also meant to say, taking pauses during a feed and then getting going again is normal. Does he generally seem settled and alert after a feed?

thank you, herner it varies - sometimes asleep, sometimes cries (for more/wind i think), sometimes alert.