Feed from both sides?

[D-bot]

My DS is 5 months and 2 weeks old. I just had mastitis 2 weeks ago and just recently finished my course of antibiotics. I know mastitis can decrease your milk but I am not sure if my milk supply has come back yet. DS seem to be hungry still after one breast so I offer the other side until he is content. Could my milk supply still have not come back or could it be that DS needs more milk as he is growing (he is 18.5lbs). Do moms with LOs this age feed from both sides or still from one side? By the way, before the mastitis, I used to feed only from one side for 10 min.

[EllenS]

Could be a bit of both, or a temporary growth spurt.  We always fed from both sides because of my supply.  As long as he's getting satisfied, it doesn't really matter whether he's doing 1 or 2.  If he drains one before taking the other, he is getting the hindmilk.

Just make sure to alternate which side you offer first.

So sorry you had mastitis, hope you feel fine now.

[D-bot]

Thanks EllenS. I feel fine now...just a little worried about my milk supply. I am crossing my fingers and hoping that it comes back soon because I don't like dreamfeeding on both sides as I'm afraid it would wake him up. Also, I don't seem to have a lot of milk at the 4 hr mark and I'm afraid he may not be getting enough.

[EllenS]

Drink a lot of fluids, especially having been on medication.  Also, you could make sure you have a cup of coffee and a bowl of oatmeal every day.  If you want to be more aggressive, I have had good results with an herbal tincture called "More Milk Plus" which is fenugreek + blessed thistle.

[D-bot]

Coffee and oatmeal? I've never heard of that one before. What's in it that boosts your milk supply? I'm scared of drinking too much coffee in case I give DS a caffeine boost and I'll never sleep 

[EllenS]

I don't know the chemistry, but both coffee and oatmeal are listed as galactagogues.  One cup a day should not hurt.  Some folks also find Indian food, lentils and chickpeas support their supply. You're not likely to see a huge boost just from food, but it can help a bit.

[Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids]

 Hi D-bot, i have found that expressing after a feed for about 10 mins(just until the next milk comes out) is really good for supply if you can do it 2-3 times a day. You can see results after about 3-4 days. You could also use the stored milk after a feed, so ds is getting it all.

Hope its of some help Kate