Went to breastfeeding 'drop in' session today and it was a waste of time... So, I have some questions.

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My little one (first child) is 5 weeks on Sunday and I'm looking for some advice after a waste of a 2 hour trip to a drop-in breastfeeding session.

I currently feed William on demand, but is usually every 2 hours (give or take although he does usually have a 3 to 4 hour stint between 9pm and 1am). He generally has a good latch, although he's started to get a bit lazy and kind of 'slide' off as he gets sleepy and then tries to suck the nipple. So far, I only offer one breast at every feed - and also any 'top ups' that he asks for within 1 hour.

I was wondering whether I should be offering the other breast at every feed? Do I really need to?

If so, how do I know when to do this? He often will suck really really well for 5-10 mins, then come off, then 2 mins later want more (and he'll suck well again for a further 5 mins) etc about 3-4 times per feed, gradually getting less and less efficient at 'sucking'. At what point would I offer the other breast?

Is there a danger that he could miss out on the hind-milk by doing this?

If I begin to do this, would I have to offer the other breast at EVERY feed? During the night I often fall asleep and by the time I wake up he's been finished a long time and fast asleep so too late to start offering again.

I'd like to start stockpiling some expressed breastmilk, but I've had confusing advice. At the moment, while it would be for an occasional bottle, how should I do this? Which breast should I pump from? The one which I fed from last, or the other one?

When I then give William his next feed, which breast should I offer first? The 'pumped' one or the non-pumped one?

Assuming I leave the breastmilk to defrost in the fridge, should I warm the milk before offering it to him?

I think that's about it for now - I hope someone wouldn't mind answering these questions!

Many thanks in advance,

Natalie

The whole hind milk thing is bunk. Feed him on one side and if it feels like you've run out and he wants more, switch sides.

You can pump from any point really - premature babies have mums who pump from day one - It's easiest to do it while your baby is suckling the other side if you can hand express with one hand (IME only - I'm sure others have other ways). You can use a breast collection shell and collect the 'leaks' too when you feed.

Offer the pumped breast next as the pump will not get out as much as a baby.

Good luck

i offer the other side if ds seems like he wants more but isn't happy on the side he's on. if he un latches and has that drunken look or is asleep then i don't offer the other side.

I always found it easier to pump when DS was due a feed (perhaps if he was asleep for longer than usual) so that the breast was "full" and I got letdown more easily. Your breasts are never empty, they always produce milk on demand and a baby is better at it than a pump so I'd then feed DS shortly afterwards. I would pump from both sides because I never got very much out so I probably went back to the side I would have used if I hadn't pumped anything - I'm not sure, I have a feeling it doesn't actually matter that much, but it's been a while since I worried about sides. (DS is older)

I find offering both sides means DD goes a bit longer between feeds which is more convenient for me, but she is also perfectly happy having one side at a time so do whatever you want really. You don't have to do it at every feed - I generally do it for 2 or 3 feeds a day.

I have always just fed from one side one feed, then the other side the next feed. DS is 12m.

Unless the feed is going on for aaaages in which case I swap just so one breast isn't getting masses more stimulation.

I often feel like I use DS as a sort of boob lightening tool- whichever side is fuller is where he is applied!

Thank you so much for all the responses! I've tried offering both sides for the last few days with some success - we seem to be going longer between feeds during the day but still at 2hrs at night, but that's fine I'm also going to start the expressing this weekend so will keep the advice in mine.

Once again thanks

You've had really good advice here, but one extra point from me (a non expert, but it worked for me!). Lots of breastfed babies keep feeding every 2 hours for quite a long time. DD did to about 3 months. The trick seems to be to try to encourage the short gaps to be in the day and the longer ones at night. Some people try and do this by encouraging cluster feeding close to bedtime (i.e. lots of feeds close together).