Is one breast enough?

[diane7384]

I normally feed my baby for 8-10minutes on one side and then change to the other for about the same (sometimes less on the second side). However, I want to start expressing. Yesterday I feed him on one side for about 10minutes then rested then resumed on the same side while expressing from the other breast. Does this seem logical and will one side be enough for him? He seemed happy enough!

According to NCT your baby will tell you when he's had enough by pushing the nipple out so you're probably best just leaving him on there til he says otherwise rather than swapping sides or timing him. Probably a good idea to express from the opposite side to the one he's fed on though.

diane - your baby is the best judge, as BranflakeGirl says. (I am an NCT bfc and we don't say babies will always push the nipple out, but we would suggest you watch your baby's cues, which will show you when the baby has had what he wants on side one...maybe the nipple is pushed out, maybe the baby stops sucking, maybe he falls asleep and drops off, that sort of thing anyway )

Then after a short while your baby may perk up again and he can be offered the second side, which he may or may not take....no need to express if not, at least not usually.

That's helpful, thanks! I'm hoping to create a bank of expressed milk that I can call on if I want to go out, so just want to find the best time and way to express really but not deprive him of his usual quota!!