How long per boob?

7 replies

BellaBalloon · 09/02/2010 15:02

Hi
My 2 week old latches on like a dream and feeding has been fine except now he seems to have long patches of having short feeds, snoozing, grizzling, over and over again.
He was spluttering and coughing and it was pouring all over the place so I have been going for longer on one boob having considered the advice for over supply on the kellymom website, but since they never seem to empty I have no idea when it's time to change.
Does that make sense?
I have been going for one 'session' at a time on one boob, so that could be 4 10 minute goes or one long one.
Just not sure how to tell if it's time to change and if that's why this morning he seemed seriously insatiable.

TIA

OP posts:

mistlethrush · 09/02/2010 15:11

I did alternate sides each feed generally but didn't swap sides mid-feed ifyswim...

lovelymama · 09/02/2010 15:16

They say you should feed until the boob feels empty, but like you, my boobs never seemed to empty as I had an endless supply of milk. I just kept feeding him on one boob per feed as this seemed enough for him - why switch boobs if one is enough?! (although I understand it's possible to get mastitis if you don't regularly feed from a boob so just watch out for signs of that). Eventually when my boobs figured out how much DS needed (about 6 weeks old I think), he started to be able to empty a boob and then I would be able to feed from both boobs at every feed.

If you have a breastfeeding counsellor near you you could pop and see them (ask your health visitor) as I can only tell you what worked for me and I don't want to mess breast feeding up for you!

Original poster

BellaBalloon · 09/02/2010 15:32

thanks - i suppose mmy problem is that it is hard to tell what constitutes a feed. he doesn't feed once for a long time he seems to go for a little and often/all the time`!!

OP posts:

Galena · 09/02/2010 20:14

I've seldom given both boobs at a feed (DD is 9 mo). She was content with one and so one's what she'd get. Still is. If I try offering the other after the first, she doesn't latch as she's no longer hungry.

Occasionally she is fussing after her usual length of feed (15 mins or so) on one side so I offer the other, like this evening, and she will feed from that side too.

I think she's a snacker though - she doesn't like big meals!

Gmakes3 · 09/02/2010 20:29

Hi
My 2 were and still are snackers. Fed often and not for long. Usually 5-10 mins. I almost choked dd with spurting milk once, she went blue. I then fed much more upright.Very rare that they had both sides just alternated with each feed. Keep alternating and give your boobs time to settle 6-8 weeks.

rainbowinthesky · 09/02/2010 20:46

Breasts are never empty - just less full at times. I would feed until baby doesnt want any more on one side then either offer hte other side or just offer the other side first at teh next feed.

wrigglershouse · 09/02/2010 20:55

It seems to work to let them stay on one until they come off then offer the other as I too find it impossible to know if I am "empty". If she came off because she was full she only latches for a sec then comes off, if I was empty she goes for it!

Also - I had no idea how long a newborn takes or how often. You will likely be sitting there on the sofa all day for at least a few weeks yet.

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