Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

What age would a baby need both breasts at one feed?

26 replies

Gemmitygem · 05/11/2006 15:00

My DS is 4 weeks old, feeds 7-8 times a day for 20 minutes, I give him one breast so he gets the different types of milk etc. He seems totally full afterwards and there is often still milk squirting out of the breast, so I wait till the next feed to give him the other breast. Is this right? And roughly what age would they have both breasts at every feed? Any tips appreciated!

OP posts:
tiktok · 08/11/2006 09:01

Pushkin, what you are suggesting is way too prescriptive, sorry. I know you mean well, and you are trying to help, but you have got it wrong - don't want to make you but I know what I am talking about

I don't know who the consultants you spoke to are, but anyone telling you that you 'must' feed 15-20 mins and then swap is not aware of the whole physiology of breastfeeding - it's extraordinary advice, to be honest, and likely to produce problems in some mothers,

The pattern you are describing is not going to suit everyone - it's hardly ever appropriate to feed only 10 mins on one side and then switch, as a way of reducing supply (which most mothers don't need to do, anyway, and I see nothing in Gemmity's posts that make me think she needs to do this). Swapping at 'just over 10 mins' (and what an arbitrary time that is - why not 'just over 9' or just over 11' - it doesn't make sense) can cause problems with the baby and with the mum...if you want more details, just say,

It may have worked for you, but as a recommendation for Gemmity or anyone else, for that matter, it's really not right. In fact, I would say your pattern was something you 'got away with' rather than something that resolved or avoided a problem.

Gemmity - you are doing great. Ignore books that give times for feeds. It's a sure sign the author doesn't understand about bf

New posts on this thread. Refresh page