is 10-15 mins per side enough for a 3 week old?

[{{{Angela}}}]

When do babies become more efficient at the breast?  Since DD was born, I've been putting her on each side for at least 20 minutes, doing breast compressions during a feed to keep her sucking and getting the hindmilk.  Now at 3 weeks old, it seems like she's become more efficient and only on for 10-15 minutes.  Can I assume that she's getting enough or is 3 weeks too young to be this efficient?  I've still been keeping her on for longer just in case, but there isn't much drinking going on and my breasts definitely feel softer/empty.

[zed]

If your LO is gaining wait and having enough wet diapers then I wouldn't worry.

Both of my boys only ate for 10 minutes on average right from birth.  After my milk came in I only fed them on one side per feed.  All three health nurses I spoke to said that the second side is for when you don't have enough to satisfy your LO on the one side but in my case I was spraying milk everywhere so I was told that is would be easier for me and baby to only do one side.

One of the three nurses told me that if I was feeling a bit engorged that nursing for 1-2 minutes on the second side would help with that but if not for the reason of comfort, it wasn't necessary.

I would like to add that both of my boys were born at or very close to 7 lbs.  Both were on the 95 percentile by their 6 week check up.  So I know that it is possible for the little gaffers to be very efficient.

[Samuel's mum]

I agree - it can certainly happen. And you do need to be cautious about changing sides too soon if you are double-sided feeding but it sounds as though you are taking care with the breast compressions and all.

[{{{Angela}}}]

I wonder if I could get some thoughts on this:  today DD fed for 15 minutes max on each side.  The first 5-10 minutes are great; lots of sucking and drinking and letdown.  The last 5 minutes are a bit tough, I have to do breast compressions to keep her interested; she squirms and groans and pulls at me and finally pulls off.  So today is the first time she's ever stopped feeding on her own.

I went out with DS today and left some EBM with hubby.  DD drank a 3 oz.bottle and was satisfied.  When I got home about an hour later, I pumped for 6 minutes and got 2.25 oz (double sided).  So I'm assuming if I can pump and get over an ounce from one breast in 6 minutes, then DD must be getting enough being on one breast for 10-15 minutes, right?  (Can I assume that?)

[zed]

I would try it and watch your babies cues.  I never had to feed on both sides after my boys reached 2 weeks old.  I always had so much milk that I was drowning them. So, I never bothered with the second side.  The nurses and my Dr. told me, that using the other side (for me at least) would be more if I was getting engorged and needed to gain some relief.  Basically, I was told to only nurse on the second side for my comfort.  But that was me, and I was still spraying milk across the room after a full feed on only one side. 

I think you need to figure out what is best for you and your baby.  Unfortunately, you can only know this by trial and error.  If you try it and it doesn't work, you still have the other side to fall back on, so I think it would be worth a shot.

[Samuel's mum]

Angela - you describe a good feed. I don't think you have anything to worry about.
TBH I'm usually wary about making any conclusions from pumping as it doesn't seem to be particularly related to breastfeeding patterns. But I would have a go with single-sided and just watch her cues.

[{{{Angela}}}]

Thanks again ladies.  I tried a single sided feed - 20 minutes with breast compressions at the end.  She wanted to eat again 1h 45min later.  So I guess single sided is not enough for her.   Oh well!