So lucky!! you can keep him on for ten minutes at a time!!
At 4.5 months my DS was popping off every three or four minutes just to look at everything that has always been in his nursery. Soooo irritating!!!
But like you, I was concerned that he might not be getting enough to eat. Everyone says that so long as he is gaining weight appropriately, you should not worry. Especially since he gets much more efficient at pulling milk from the breast at around 4 months. But worry I did. And I didn't stop worrying until I figured out how to measure what he was getting in him.
It requires a bit of a monetary investment, but you can measure his intake by purchasing an infant scale. I think mine was USD100. You weigh him before feeding. Then weigh him immediately after.
What I found was that sometimes he'd eat as little as 2 ounces. And other times as much as 6. And actual time at the breast didnt really factor in. For example he'd spend ten minutes popping on and off and get 3 ounces. The next time he'd spend (to me) the same ten minutes and get 5 ounces.
So I guess I'd say not to worry about his milk consumption. And if you are as obsessive as me, you can get a scale!
Regarding his boob preference, if you're worried about quality of milk or if he'll get enough if he only takes one side (always offer the second side if he pops off), don't. The booby will make as much as he needs. it could be that that breast produces more milk or has a more comfortable letdown for him. I know I definitely have a better producing side.
I would encourage him to take the non-preferential side just to prevent production from dwindling. Especially important when he hits his next growth spurt and your preferred breast hasnt gotten supply up to demand yet. He could also start liking it better if more milk comes out!
also. if you dont regularly offer him the second breast, you might see a small difference in the size of your breasts if you keep him only on one side as the supply in the unused side dwindles...
