from two side feeding to one - Can it be done at this point?

[Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids]

Hi girlies

I had a thought at 4am this morning whilst feeding. My boobs have gone 6+ hrs since i pumped and drained and are now feeling very full. I always feed both sides but is he really draining them at this feed? He stayed on the first breast for 40 mins with 4 yes 4 letdoens before un hooking himself, he burped and was then smiling at dh. At this point i thought just put him in the cot and see what happens, i was going to pump for 10 mins anyway. He wasn't sure at first he was chatting as thought he was thinking err what am i doing here i only had one boob? . But by the time i had finished pumping he was asleep.

Normally he wakes at 7am, we went through till 7.40 and when he woke was smilling . Could it be that as he was taking the richer milk (althought not as much), it was satisfing him more? So i fed only one side again, lasting 40mins again 4 letdowns.

9:30 bit fidety so i thought maybe a bit hungary. I fed from the same side for about 25mins, not sure how many letdowns 2 or 3.

Now im thinking is this a good thing

Kate

[NoelleChristine]

After about day 4, I've always just single side fed.  I've only had to feed from both sides during a growth spurt.  Well, sometimes at bedtime he'll feed from both, but not usually.  Anyway...that's all to say that, IMO, I do think it's totally possible to feed from just one side and have him be satisfied.

I think it's a good thing too!

[Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids]

Thanks Noelle, I know a lot of people who single side feed and im thinking this is why there lo are gaining more weight than than mine. I also wasn't sure if it was too late to change at 16 weeks?

In saying that today has gone really well after the top up at 9.30 i fed again at 11.50 ( he wanted it at 11.10 but had the school run to do) for 40 mins then fell to sleep for 2hrs , he hasn't done that for a while now. Im feeding him now on the same side again, it seems to be all good so going to stick with it for a few days and see how we go. That is uness anyone thinks i shouldn't do this

Kate

[*Nicola*]

Can't see any reason why you shouldn't Kate. 

[Samuel's mum]

If it seems to be working for you then I would say go for it. Just continue to respond to his cues and follow your instincts.

[Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids]

Thanks will do.

Today has gone well but its just day one, lets see how tomorrow goes

[MathildasMum]

That sounds really promising - I wonder if it would help me but i struggle to keep DD on one side for long at all we have to switch around to keep her interest

[Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids]

today im doing EAEAS, tbhwy i don't mind if i can single side feed in the long run

[Samuel's mum]

Kate - give it a couple of days but don't put too much pressure on yourself. Usually it goes the other way and people who start single-sided feeding move to double-sided feeding around now. In Secrets Tracy said in her experience the switch to double-sided often happened when a baby reached around 12 pounds.
I'm not saying it won't work for you but I'm just saying don't give yourself a hard time if this experiment doesn't work out and it seems he is satisfied with offering a second side after he has completely 'drained' the first.

[Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids]

Hi Emma, thanks for your post

At the mo im not really sure about which way to go   First of all yesterday did not go as well as the first (which i knew would happen) breast felt empty all day and by the time evening came Zane was very upset as no big letdowns all day. Then to top it off i took him to be 'WEIGHTED', he'd only put .18kg on which i think is about 7oz? in two weeks. This is the reason i wanted to try and feed him one sided.

I really feel i need to up my supply, i really want to carry on bfing but i don't want him to be upset and not getting enough calories!! ( although it has just been the one day). I really need to get things back to a routine and stick with it for a good while so we both know were we are.

But what should i do?

Im thinking foresure i need to get some herbs 'more milk', my supply really needs it. As to the 1 or 2 side feeding i don't know. If you were advising someone who wasn't getting a good weight gain what would it be?
Although he has been gaining something every week but two were he stayed the same, he is slowly dropping another line on the chart. He's 16 weeks and weighs 11lb 14oz, in my eyes he should be gaining about 7oz a week to be stable?

Im fine in myself and not stressed at all but really want to sort this out, i feel that time is ticking and soon i won't be able to satisfy him

Kate

[*Nicola*]

Kate,

I just replied to you on Sal's thread.  Big (((Hugs))) my friend. 

Just looking back Ciara's chart as the HV's were always asking if I was feeding her properly    She started off bang on the 50th centile, stayed there til 8 weeks and then started to drop to 25th and just under until 26 weeks when she moved back up the chart. 

Has the paediatrician seen him to check him over or are you just getting the HV's opinions?

Sure Emma will give you more techical input.  Give me a shout if you want a chatter.

  Mwah ....

[NoelleChristine]

Hi Kate,

I don't really know your history with little Zane so I'm sorry if I'm asking a question that's already been answered before but have you had trouble with him loosing weight?

I've never had the issue with weight gain, although Gunnar only gained a few oz. from months 4 through 6 and did drop in percentile but he was happy & content and had is wet nappies so I wasn't concerned. 

I guess I only say that wondering if it's realistic to think he'll be on a constant gain?  KWIM?  If he's constantly loosing weight that's another matter but if he's staying the same, or gaining a little I would think that's ok.

Sometimes those damn charts make us have "expectations" that we otherwise wouldn't have.  They are going through so much growth and change and this age...you know?!

[Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids]

No  iv'e not seen paed, should i? and i know this sounds funny but were do i see one. At the hospital?

She has given me the number for a beast feeding consultant, which i will ring today i think. If you are having real trouble they even come out to you FOR FREE, so i might aswell take advantage don't you think.

Your a real online friend Nic Thanks for everything!!!!!!!!

[Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids]

Morning Noelle, yes always gained weight 4-6oz to start with then 7-8 oz and stayed the same two weeks but not in a row.

The thing is he started sbove the 50th and is now just above the 2nd. I think if he had gained the two week that he stayed the same he would be following the 9th.

Even if this was the bfing chart i think he would still be dropping don't you?

[*Nicola*]

No  iv'e not seen paed, should i? and i know this sounds funny but were do i see one. At the hospital?

She has given me the number for a beast feeding consultant, which i will ring today i think. If you are having real trouble they even come out to you FOR FREE, so i might aswell take advantage don't you think.

Your a real online friend Nic Thanks for everything!!!!!!!!

No you don't need to    What I meant was HV sometimes seem to give throw away opinions on things and maybe a paed would make you feel happier about things.

I went to a feeding support group yesterday which was good.  I would def take advantage of the expert advice Kate.

  (((hugs))) your kinda fab yourself