Should I swap sides during a feed?

[Caz10]

Sorry, another question! To follow on from my post below re I have NO clue when LO has finished a feed.

Last night she seemed starving after 40 mins on one side. MWs in the hospital said single side feed only, and I've read that other places too, but the advice here and on some of the links posted are to always offer both sides.

Last night I did basically what I would consider to be 2 feeds back to back - 30-40 mins on both sides, one after the other - is this ok?!

And if she does e.g. 40 mins on one side, then only 5 on the next, do I start with that "less empty" side the next time?
[confused smiley...!]

Personally, I fed from both sides, and yes, started with the less full side the next time.
My LO would pull off/fall asleep when he was full.
Do you stroke your babys' chin/jaw line to stimulate the sucking reflex? That way if they stop sucking and don't suckle even when stroked you know they are full?

Also, in the beginning I had major probs with engorgement and leaking. Once I started feeding from both sides that stopped and my boobs adjusted much easier to being both used for each feed.

I've always done double. With DS2 I knew what was going on with my boobs and could easily tell empty and full. They usually pull off the first one when they aren't getting so much from it any more and I set them up a bit to see if they have any wind - although don't do energetic burping action particularly and then put them onto the second one till they come off that one because they are full - there is usually still quite a bit left in it. HTH, Sim

Caz, the midwives in hospital were wrong. Some babies are happy with one side, but baby's choice is the only way to go. You can check this with your community midwife, and she should make a song and dance about mothers getting such duff information.

It's fine to feed the way you are describing - what could be wrong with it?? Babies often love being on or near the breast, sucking on and off for ages, and if you do find a very, very unequal session, then yes, start on the 'second side' first the next time

Mostly, you don't need to look at the clock, though, just your baby