Does anyone breastfeed on only one breast per feed?

[birthofawoman]

I ask this because midwives etc always talk about "offering the other breast" and moving onto the next breast, but I don't quite understand how this is possible. There's literally no way my baby (6 weeks old, currently) would accept the second breast seeing as his decision to stop feeding from the first one was based on the fact that he's now full. I've tired, but my nipple is just met with a closed mouth.

I don't understand it. Surely I'm not the only mother who only feeds from one breast at a time.

I also don't understand how the average feed is supposed to last 15 minutes+. I just couldn't imagine a feed lasting that long as my baby literally only feeds for about 5-7 minutes at a time, and it's been that way since day 1. He's gaining good weight (he's currently between the 50th and 75th percentile ), and he's producing a good number of wet nappies, so I know he's getting enough milk.

Maybe my baby just has unusual feeding habits? I don't know!

It's always worth offering the other breast as the milk changes consistency through the feed and he may fancy a bit more of the thinner milk to round off his meal. If he doesn't fancy it, no problem. There's no right or wrong and you're doing a great job x

My first fed from both breasts for 45 minutes each every 90 minutes. My second fed from only 1 for 5 to 10 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. If baby is gaining and has plenty of wet and dirty nappies, I'd just be grateful and not worry! They're all different and some are just efficient feeders. My mum says I was like that, 5 minutes and done.

If you're feeding on demand and letting him feed as long as he wants (however short this may be) then it's all good x

I was exactly the same, he only fed from one side per feed and it was generally 7 minutes per feed (once we'd got the hang of it). He was a proper fat baby too, 99th percentile. If he ever did go longer or from both sides, he'd normally end up being sick where he'd gorged himself.

My DS is currently 4mo, and does the same - very occasionally he'll go for the second, but only after a break. And he's pretty quick - 5-10 mins. I do offer the other side, but am met with pursed lips, so take it as a polite 'no'. Again, gaining well, climbed a few centiles, so I'm just going to enjoy it while it lasts.

Yes, me...I always did one side per feed...mainly as DS always fell asleep during feeds and as he was putting on weight at a rate of knots I just left him to it! Now he only feeds when he's due a nap so it's very fixed, right side morning nap, left afternoon, right evening etc!

Thatsnotmypresident wow, I didn't know that about the milk changing. Unless you're referring to 'hindmilk'? My baby's short feeds were concerning me at times, as I'd worry he wouldn't be getting this fattier milk. But, yes, absolutely feeding on demand and letting him finish as and when he pleases!

HumpHumpWhale wow, it's so weird and wondrous how two babies can feed so differently! :O I guess my baby is just an efficient feeder!

DS favoured one side, never fed from the right even if I started him there! Luckily I was pumping also so it didn’t really matter.

I only ever did one per feed, I had some
Issues with oversupply and DS was always full after one. Don’t worry about length of feeding time either-you are lucky they have a good and efficient latch and suck, 5-7 mins was also normal for us from an early age

My baby has always fed from on breast per feed for around 10 minutes. Weight gain is Fine, lots of wet nappies and she is happy and healthy. Don't start doubting yourself due to others and their lack of knowledge such as the HV. Some of their bf advice is based on theory and not from experience.

Mine always takes both sides at each feed, and will sometimes want to swap back and forth - I assume when he's more thirsty than hungry iyswim. He usually feeds for 15-20mins in total. I think they're all different.

2 of my dc were breastfed and both only ever fed from one side at a time, both also were fed and winded in 10 mins and went 2.5hrs between feeds. I had no problems with weight gain on either, hv always said they were super efficient which makes a nice change! Mind you my bottlefed 2 were exactly the same, 10 mins fed and winded.......

I only feed from one side at a time and always have really. Unless hes feeding loads (maybe throughout naptime) and then ill switch to the other one just to empty it a bit.

When he was newborn feeds would always vary in length too.. sometimes less than 5 mins sometimes 20

I was only ever told to feed from one side each time because it is the hind milk that is the most nutrious and calorific, the fore milk is the thirst quencher, babies that take too much of that may not be fully sated and need more. Mine were both very quick feeders.

All babies (and mothers) are different.

Only if he's seeming fussy or not getting sleepy after a while at one breast, then sometimes he'll feed off the fuller one better and sleep. Usually older than 6 weeks though for that.

@birthofawoman, it always starts off really thin - if you ever have need to express, you'll see it in action As others have said, some babies are just really efficient feeders so please don't worry about the length of the feed.

Feeding ds2 now and he's the same at 9 weeks: one side, five minutes then waits 2hrs. My eldest would be there for the half an hour at least and do both sides. Midwife suggested to me me that my supply is better this time round hence quicker feeds - easier to get out. Both gained weight very well.

Oh I would have enjoyed feeding so much more if DS would have fed just one side at a time. Or just 10-20 minutes at a time.

Instead he had undiagnosed tongue tie (discovered at age 5 by a friend) so he fed constantly for the first 5 months.

Sorry for the thread hijack, I’m just wistfully looking back at how tough breastfeeding was for me and how beautiful it can be.

With my first two I always offered the second breast and then had to make a mental note of where to start next time. When I had DC3 I fed from one at a time until he was about 6 weeks I think. It was the 'fashion' then and a lot easier with a tiny one. I started offering the second side when he seemed to want it.

I only did one per feed for my kids. Managed to feed for over 7 —bloody— years in total doing it that way.

They were always sick if I gave them a second breast.

I know someone who fed for nearly 2 years on just one (the same!) breast as her daughter rejected the other breast completely.

With breastfeeding, following a rule is always risky - once your baby is a few days old you can just feed on demand (I say that because in the first few days it's best just to offer lots of feeds to get your milk supply going - a healthy full term baby doesn't need much actual milk at that point.

So if one side is enough for your baby, and your baby is doing well, and your supply is good, then don't worry if the baby won't take the other side. The reason it's said to be good to offer is that it's good for building and maintaining a milk supply. When you offer one side, the let-down reflex that your baby stimulates during the feed also affects the other breast, and so when you switch, the baby immediately has that milk available to drink (some may even leak out) - and if the baby doesn't drink it, your body will think it isn't needed.

In your case, that may well be true! After all, your baby's doing fine on one side per feed. For a lot of people, this will ultimately lead to a decrease in supply that could start to cause a problem in the longer term.

So I say, carry on, and keep watching your baby - clearly he knows what he needs!

DD only ever fed for five minutes at a time! I used to obsessively time her feeds and worry if they were less than 5 minutes - till I realised just what a little chunk she was and chilled out about it a bit. I used to offer both breasts, and she would often take the second one - then regurgitate the lot without fail! So I stopped. Also felt a little anxious about that too, but she was obviously gaining well I just went with it.

It sounds just like my little boy last year. My milk came quick and he drank quickly meaning not much time at the boob. Whenever I did offer him the other boob he overate and was sick. If your baby is gaining weight, sleeping and not displaying hunger after feeding I'm sure you're doing just great. Have a chat to the health visitor at your next weigh in if you want to triple check.

PS this was a relief as my first was never off the boob, day or night x

I always only ever fed from one side. I had a massive oversupply at first and was permanently soaked. My baby has followed the 90th centile for weight all along and always been just fine. I would say if you’ve been offering the other breast and it’s always refused then don’t bother. You’ll soon notice if your baby is actually still hungry.

It can have an effect on supply but for me that was a good thing because I had a bit of an oversupply for ages anyway.