1 week old only feeds from one breast at a time

[SassyPants87]

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?

Yep when newborn and for first few months mine did one at a time but fed more often. Now he’s 11 months and having 3 feeds during a day he’s having both sides at a time!

I have twins, so they could only feed from one side each at each feed. It wasn't an issue for them. They did seem to feed more often than other babies, I always though this could be down to both only getting one side, so perhaps not getting as much at each feed.
They put on weight well and are healthy.

I have a 3 week old and she does exactly the same. Typically only wants one boob, 10ish mins. She had regained birth weight plus more by day 10 so was told it’s fine. I can tell I have lots of milk (perhaps oversupply). She’s my second and completely different to my first as she used to feed for like an hour, sometimes more!

It’s normal but if you can push it to 20 minutes sleep improves a lot. Tickle feet, touch ears, undress etc.

Feeding from one side is fine. Follow baby's lead. Mine rarely did both. Actually my DD likes both now at 18months old! You can try to encourage longer feed by gentle tickling, blowing on face etc. Otherwise if they do seem done then I'd offer regularly and watch for hunger cues.

Just to add that if you get a lot of let down then you can stick a Hakka on to collect it then you can also get a frozen stash going. And then you're not lopsided either! 😀

Honestly, it doesn't matter. I had two who did that.

Just a little advice ladies my first baby is only 2 weeks old can’t stop worrying about things that haven’t happened yet like teething and if baby is getting enough milk. Struggling with sleep deprived managed to keep on with the breastfeeding so far. Feeling anxious a lot of the time don’t know how to but my mind somewhere else.

Teething?

So sorry love. I remember those first few weeks. It gets better. Do you have midwife appointments? Trust me though, the baby is fine - if not, you are under the care of professionals at this early stage. Hope you feel better

Both of mine were like this. One boob at a time, short feeds. I used to find myself doing the "boob squish" when it was time for a feed - squashing each boob with the palm of my hand to see which one had more milk in (IE which side hadnt been fed from last). The other day I saw a lady in a cafe doing the same thing just before feeding her diddy little dot of a baby and I felt such kinship!

Yep that was DS- any more and he'd just chuck it up. So I was always lopsided/ full/ sore

But he was 98th centile for weight so clearly was getting enough

Normal. I used to tie a small ribbon on the breast DC had fed from so I would remember which one to offer the next time.
Breastfeeding is hard work so it is normal for baby to get tired. Breast is also not for food only, but comfort as well.
Congratulations on new baby!