pumping and increasing supply questions

[halloweenmommy]

My dd is 4 1/2 months old and exclusively bf.  I have found recently that she is eating for shorter periods of time at each feed.  I thought I would start pumping after her feed to empty the breast.  I discovered while doing this that there isn't anything left.  I got barely enough to cover the bottom of a bottle (1/4 of an ounce ~).  Is my supply dwindling or is she just getting more efficient at eating?  I also discovered in rereading BW that she should no longer be single side feeding.  After about 12 lbs they need both breasts in order to be satisfied.  She's over 15 lbs.  So, my question is, if I feed her on the right side and let her empty that breast and then give her some on the left side (until she's finished) do I then pump what's left on that left breast?  How does that affect the next feed - will I have enough to feed her the enxt feed?  My body is used to going 8 hours, per breast between feeds, except at night when it's twelve hours.  Will my body automatically make more right away, or will I need to defrost some EBM from the freezer to tide her over until my supply increases again?
Thanks,
Laurie - Mom to Analiese (b. October 31, 2005)

[Samuel's mum]

I actually went single-sided feeding well beyond 12 pounds. I know of people who breastfeed twins until they are 2 years plus and their twins won't be getting both sides!
I think it's very likely she is becoming a more efficient feeder. You should EXPECT feeds to get shorter as babies get older.

If you really want to go double sided:
feed from one side as normal
switch when she's satisfied with one and ready to move on
let her have as much from that one as she wants until she breaks off

at the next feed MAKE sure you start with the other breast (the one that went second in the previous feed)

Alternate first breasts and you should be fine. Your supply will adjust naturally. It would not be a good idea to supplement from the freezer as your breasts will not adjust their supply and you may end up hurting your overall supply due to reduced demand at the breast. You may experience a little more tightness in your breasts as they adjust overnight but I wouldn't recommend unnecessary pumping - it doesn't sound as though you have anything to worry about with regards to your supply.

[LindseysMom]

Hello, I would tend to believe that your lo is just getting more efficient at eating.  It is normal for this to happen around your lo's age.  She is emptying your breast well which is a good thing because it tells your body that it needs to make more.  Which is why you don't really need to pump after a feed unless you just want to to try and increase your supply but I don't think you need to.  Also, if you feed on the right first and  then offer the left side you do not need to pump the left side.  Just start on the left side at next feed.  It may take a day or so for your body to adjust to the double side feeds but you will have plenty of milk for your baby.  However, if she is content after just one side there is no written law that you have to double side feed, especially if your body is used to single side feeds.   I always double side fed but that is what my body was used to, kwim?  I would think that as long as she is continuing to thrive and gain weight then you should/could just keep doing what you have been doing.   At 4.5 months you should have a well established supply of milk so don't worry.

A good website to check out is http://www.kellymom.com.  They have really good info about breastfeeding.