Should I Switch to single-side feeding for 6wk old? How?

[stephanne2]

I'm new to BW,  having recently read book 1. I was especially drawn to the 'E' section pertaining to BF, where Tracy explained the advantages to single-side feeding and why it makes sense. And I'm totally on board except I fear maybe I'm too late to make the switch? DD will be 7wk old 1/1/13.

As it stands now,  I switch sides,  but not b/c of the clock. Rather she'll nurse on one side,  come off,  I'll attempt to burp her,  then we switch sides and repeat. Each side lasting approx 10-20 minutes. I will say this though... I don't think all those minutes are active feeding,  but rather the last part being me-the-human-pacifier. Unfortunately,  I have a heck of a time paying attention either because I 'm falling asleep or just completely elsewhere mentally.

DD does have ALL green poo,  which may be partly because she has MSPI,  so that's one reason I'm considering a change. Moreover, reading Tracy's book,  there are some other issues I feel might be resolved by switching to single-side feedings... like DD always falling asleep nursing. ALWAYS. Connecting the dots,  it feels like she may be getting more foremilk than hindmilk. She is gaining weight though... so maybe I'm okay to go on as I am?

so here's my question... since my body may be at the point where my milk supply has stabilized,  is it too late to train it to start producing hindmilk again?

[PaulsMom]

I think you can certainly do single sided feeds.  Just put her back on the same breast after you burp her.  It may take a few days to adjust and during gs you may need to feed from oath sides but once your milk supply has increased, switch back to single sided feeding. 

I saw this page that someone else posted about fore milk and hind milk.  http://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/basics/foremilk-hindmilk/

HTH!

[becj86]

Yep, totally agree with PP

You may find that if the green poo is related to foremilk/hindmilk imbalance, that will improve with single-sided feeding. If its related to MPI/MSPI, it will stick around and you may have to move to an elimination diet if you haven't done so already.

Have you seen this board: Colic, Reflux, & Crying Loads of mums here have MSPI LO's and have plenty of knowledge that may help you along and are happy to support you as only people who've been there themselves can.

[stephanne2]

THANKS!  I figured moving to single-side would be beneficial,  just fear for my milk supply and didn't want to send my body any of the wrong signals! As it is, I never feel letdown, and never feel full (anymore) so I'm always afraid I won't physically notice a problem until it's too late.

I have been on an elimination diet for almost a week now,  but my understanding is it could take weeks until all of the milk/soy protein is eliminated. So I'm trying not to read too much into the green poo until I've made all my adjustments...but wow... grreen poo is nasty lookin'!!

I appreciate the link to the colic,  reflux & crying board... I'll check it out!!!!

[Fiver]

At 6w, your milk supply isn't fully established (this happens somewhere from 12-20w usually).

Also you can't train your body to make hindmilk, it just does it and has been for you all along, it's just whether or not your LO has been having a good balance of foremilk and hindmilk.  Single sided feeding could help you along with this, though, as PPs have said.

At 6w it's still pretty common for babies to fall asleep while BF - they're nice and warm and comfy, cuddled up with the most important person in their little world, so don't been too worried at this stage - enjoy those snuggles.