Empty breast - is this possible and how to check?

[hbmummy]

I read a lot about making sure the breast is empty before offering the baby the other breast. One can check by gently squeezing the nipple with thumb and forefinger.

Check mine after feeds this afternoon, and everytime milk can be seen. I allow DD1 to stay on the breast as long as she wants though as time goes by she becomes sleeply. Previously I have simply assumed that the breast was empty or nearly empty and the flow was slowing down, therefore she lost interest. When I moved her to the other breast, she started sucking happily.

Is there such a thing as empty breast and what is the best way to check that it is indeed empty?

Heard lots of awful things happening if the breast is not emptied properly.

Sounds like you have been doing just fine with the breastfeeding .

I dont think there is such a thing as an empty breast as such.

The risk of mastitis is more if you get particularly engorged - which is not the case here.

You will always see milk - the breasts continually produce it (obviously it speeds up or slows down depending on demand).

I think it is worth bearing in mind that this is a very natural process, and as such - there is no black/white, empty/full or foremilk/hindmilk split. It's all a bit grey really.

no, you will never have a completely empty breast because you are constantly producing milk.
I usually let ds feed for as long as he likes and then swap if he wants more and he's putting on weight like no-ones business.

hb, any book or any person telling you to check the breast is empty reveals their shocking ignorance about breastfeeding, and anyone who tells you to check before offering the other side should really close up shop!

It's daft. You don't need to check, and the breast is never empty, anyway. The baby's behaviour is the best guide to when to swap, and it sounds like you have discovered this for yourself

Thanks for all the feedback! Looks like mom's instinct is the best.

Any of you experience nipple tenderness? It is not painful during or after breastfeeding, but just tender and terribly sensitive. I will shiver if my nipples touch the towel or some clothing items. Using the breast pads to protect nipples from unwanted contact. Is this normal?

DD1 is feeding well (judging from the number of dirty diapers). Latch looks fine too, though ever now and then she does misbehaves and I have to quickly unlatch her before she does any harm but sometimes am a bit too late.

www.kellymom.com and this breastfeeding blogwritten by hunkermunker, a mumsnetter and BF expert are two really useful sites .

that should be 'blog, how breastfeeding works, written by hunkermunker.....