When do I switch breasts?!

[readysetcake]

Had 10 day check today and DS has only gained 40g in 5 days. Think that’s about 1.5oz. Not back to birth weight. I was shocked as he’s feeding loads and having tons of wet and dirty nappies.
He has had green ooo today after it was yellow. So worried about him not getting the fatty milk and that’s why his growth is slow.

He often feeds for 10-20 mins then comes off then wants to go again after a 10-15 minute snooze. Should I offer same or different breast?!

Poo not ooo

He has gained and lots of nappies.

Milk changes throughout a feed, gradually getting fattier, it's not a sudden switch

Usually offer different breast at that poit

Green poo is usually rapid transit but mention to your HV
My babies didn't get back to worth weight for ages - but again the HV will keep a close eye in weight

For BF I'd do longer on one side then shorter the other, then switch breasts so longer on the other breast to start then shorter - a friend used to put a hair band on her wrist so she knew which breast to use first then next time iyswim

I had an elastic bracelet which I I would use to know which breast to use on my next feed.

I would put baby back on first boob if still hungry a short time later. Then if not satisfied, do the other one. My baby has always gained loads of weight from early on doing that. Try not to get too obsessed with it though, if baby is settled after a feed, plenty of wet and dirty nappies and sleeping, he is probably fine. Green poo is common early on while their little digestive systems mature a little!

Good answer Astrid. OP sounds like your baby is doing well, it takes time to settle into a feeding routine.

Thanks for the replies everyone! I’ve been going with offering the same side if a short feed and short gap between feeds. This morning he fed for 30 mins on one boob before coming off and sleeping. So will offer the other side for the next. Think this sounds about right? Sounds similar to your approach @astrid2.
Good tip with the hair band. I often have one on my wrist anyway.
He always seems content after he takes himself off and is having lots of alert periods and dirty nappies. Just wonder what they will say if he’s still gaining slowly on Saturday. Will they push formula?

Even if they do, you do not have to give it!

I would be surprised if they pushed formula milk. Make sure your getting plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids and eat regularly. When my babies were born I spent most of the first two weeks in bed had plenty of skin on skin contact with them. It took me a while to perfect the feeding routine.

Switching sides frequently is the best way to increase the amount of milk the baby takes. Whenever the baby comes off/falls asleep/swallowing slows swap over.

If you can try to offer 2/3/4 'sides' per feed.

Fattier milk is just from less full breasts, so the more frequently you feed from each breast the less water/more fat each feed will be. Look up switch feeding and you can try breast compressions too.