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Parenting

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Original poster

1 week old only feeds from one breast at a time

38 replies

SassyPants87 · 28/10/2022 16:22

Hi, my DS is a week old and only feeds from 1 side at a time. Midwife has told me to encourage feeds from both breasts but after draining the first boob he’s totally uninterested in feeding from the other.

he’s having plenty of wet and dirty nappies and was bang on his birth weight still at 5 day weigh in

anyone else got experience of their babies doing this and it’s been fine?

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LeafyGreen333 · 28/10/2022 16:26

Congratulations on your baby. Reading this reminded me that my son was exactly the same - just the one boob at a time. I used to keep a note of which one he had fed from and then use the other one at the next feed and everything worked out fine for us! He's four now and always had a healthy appetite!

FuoriComeUnBalcone · 28/10/2022 16:32

My first was like that. One side was plenty to fill him up. I don’t see why it would be a problem 🤷🏻‍♀️

Mymoneydontjigglejiggle · 28/10/2022 16:33

Yes ds2 and DS3 both preferred one side at a time - no issues! Ds1 used to drain both and then go back to the first side for more but he was absolutely massive

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WutheringShites86 · 28/10/2022 16:34

Yes, my DD mostly just had one side at a time then I'd alternate next time. Still breastfeeding at just over 2 so definitely hasn't caused any issues!

Redambergreenforgo · 28/10/2022 16:36

Dc1 was like this (and no weight issues). You just end up being a little lopsided. You could if you wish express from the side dc doesn't feed from each time if its causing you any discomfort (which is what I did).
When I had dt one would only feed from the right breast. I'm so glad her twin would feed from both at any time!
All dc are different as long as they're healthy, putting on weight, dirty nappies and you're not in pain I'd say carry on as you are.

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 28/10/2022 16:41

Its fine, mine have only ever fed from 1 side, i have a big milk supply, and they were getting enough from one side

ChickpeaPie · 28/10/2022 16:43

I fed mine for a year on one boob at a time

Chattycathydoll · 28/10/2022 16:43

I fed from one side, expressed from the other. I found it more comfortable that way anyway; didn’t ever alternate sides, she was always on the left, pump on the right! And it meant we had bottles for when I was too sore to bf.

Autumninnewyork · 28/10/2022 16:58

Both my babies did exactly the same. I didn’t even know you were ‘supposed to’ offer both. It’s handy because you always know which boob to offer as it’s the fullest! Your boobs get used to whichever rhythm your baby has. Our bodies are so clever! Your baby knows if it’s full so yes by all means offer the other breast (I never did) but if your baby doesn’t want it, they’re the boss!

Autumninnewyork · 28/10/2022 17:00

That should say: both my babies did the same, as in fed from one breast only, each feed.

Autumninnewyork · 28/10/2022 17:01

And they both gained weight beautifully

PeekabooAtTheZoo · 28/10/2022 17:01

Yes that's fine. Mine usually goes for 1 at a time. You can unlatch part way through and put him on the other side but then he doesn't get the hind milk so I always thought it was better to leave him on one side to fully drain it. If you've a good supply it shouldn't be an issue.

KatherineofGaunt · 28/10/2022 17:04

Mine fed one side at a time. I used to have a bracelet on my wrist I'd move to the other wrist while he fed to help me remember which side he needed to feed from next. Helped in the middle of the night, especially.

USaYwHatNow · 28/10/2022 17:05

Hey! Midwife and new mum here! My baby was born at 37 weeks 6lbs 2oz and dropped to 5lbs something when he was weighed on day 3. My midwife (and long term friend) suggested both boobs and to increase feeding times, however he was always just happy with the one and would only feed for about 5-6 mins on the one boob. Turns out I had a fast let down, and when I pumped after about 5 mins I was getting something like 80mls from one boob by day 5. He's now 8 weeks old and very rarely will have both sides. I try to alternate sides at feeds but to be fair my boobs tend to remind me which one feels fuller!!

I pump the other side if it feels uncomfortable, and get about 150mls off so you could maybe try that if you're feeling sore?

Obviously amounts of BM vary baby-baby and woman-woman but I wouldn't be too worried.

Blessedbethefruitz · 28/10/2022 17:58

Mine is 9 months and has been this way since birth. She also only takes 3-8 minutes max. She's remained solidly on the 50th percentile for weight. She is a snacker though, and still feeds every 2ish hours during the day on top of lots of food now.

Magnoliamarigold · 28/10/2022 19:35

Just remember to alternate or you'll end up with one golf ball and one tangerine in a sock like I did

Buttercup129 · 28/10/2022 20:39

My 10 month old still feeds from one breast only. None of us minded if for 8 months until her bottom two teeth cut through. It doesn't help now that she's teething and my nipple has a blister and is sore from the trauma. But i would've helped had she been nursing on both sides. Would've kind of reduced the load on one side only and I may not have felt sore and painful at 10 months post partum :/ I would definitely advise you to try and get the baby to nurse on both sides!

BlueDiamondGlow · 28/10/2022 20:39

My son was the same. I was puzzled months later to learn people swapped...I had more than enough milk.
If your son feeding well don't worry.

BonesOfWhatYouBelieve · 28/10/2022 20:48

I fed DD1 until she was over two and there were probably only a few times she fed from both breasts. DD2 is 5 months old and seems to be the same. His weight and nappies sound fine, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Durumwheatmywords · 28/10/2022 21:02

Sounds normal. DD 16 months has always been like this. I only ever tried to switch if the other boob was sore but I had to take her off the first one before she was done.

Merlott · 28/10/2022 21:13

My two were ebf, 1 boob each feed until age 3 months or so when they started wanting more.

I wore a wristband to remind me which boob to feed from 😁

Original poster

SassyPants87 · 29/10/2022 04:23

Thank you everyone! Good to know I shouldn’t just be trying to force baby to take the other boob if he doesn’t want it. Sounds like he’s getting what he needs from one.

So funny how we get given advice on how we ‘should’ feed baby but baby will do what it wants and people’s experience differ from the advice

OP posts:

Original poster

SassyPants87 · 29/10/2022 08:54

And also he only feeds for 10 minutes at a time! Anyone else’s had/have such quick feeds from one breast at a time at newborn stage?

OP posts:

Sikaris · 29/10/2022 14:35

Mine only did one breast at a time. I ended up mix feeding (because I wanted a break in the evening when she was cluster feeding), but other than that I breastfed until 20 months (then she gave up). So it was fine.

Regularsizedrudy · 29/10/2022 14:37

It’s absolutely fine! Mine always has a preference and has quick feeds. If they are doing lots of nappies and gaining weight please don’t worry!

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