Single Side Feeding

[sophiasmommy]

Just a few questions on single side feeding, my daughter is 3 months old and has been on EASY for awhile now. She sleeps throught the night, eats every 3-4 hours and seems pretty contented. I have been single side feeding her for some time. What I am wondering is if anyone has had any problems single side feeding and should I be worried about loss of supply?I read on another website that you shouldn't single side feed because you can cause your supply to become low and I have noticed that my right breast doesn't get nearly as full as my left and it also empties quicker. Another question I have is how long of a feed should she be having??? She will nurse for 5-10 mins and then she will go off and on for another 10 mins. HELP I'm so confused!!!

[LLLena]

I am confused too!  There is a tremendous amount of conflicting information with single side feedings.  My ds is 5 wks old and the Nurse Practitioner told me that I should let him feed "as often as he likes" and that I should ABSOLUTELY be switching during feedings.  If I let him nurse everytime he peeped or sucked his fingers, he would be latched on 23 hours of the day!  With all the conflicting information, I am confused and extremely frustrated.  He is gaining weight and seems to be thriving, so what gives?  I am frustrated enough right now to consider using a bottle with all the grief and conflicting information.  Sorry I am not any help to you, but I understand that no one source has the same answer.  Good luck!

[Carter'sMama]

I know that there is alot of conflicting information out there and it seems like everyone does something different!
Sophiasmommy:  If your DD is sleeping through the night and eating every 3-4 hours then she sounds like she is doing great!  At her age they seem to get quicker and quicker at feeds.  In a few more months she will be able to empty a breast in 4-5 mins flat!! 
I always had one breast that seemed fuller, pumped better, lasted longer etc too.  I think this is pretty common among most women.   When your DD feeds off of your right breast does she seem satisifed?  If so then I am sure it is producing enough to meet her needs.  As for single side feeding .. in the hospital I was told to feed both sides until my milk came in and then do only one side per feed.  I followed this religiously until Carter hit his 6 month growth spurt when I realized that he needed both breasts to be full.  We kept on with both breasts even now (although he is only the one am feed now).   

AidansMom:  I was always told to demand feed until 2-3 weeks of age and then at a month of age start working on a routine.  At your lo's age I don't think he would need both sides at a feed and would just end up snacking/playing.  If you think that he seems happy with one breast every 2 hours then I woudl go with that.  You are his Mother and you are with him all the time.  You know better than anyone what your baby wants/needs.  I know how frustrating it can be tryign to figure everything out as a first time mom but you made an excellant choice when you chose to breastfeed.  Try and keep going as long as you can.  Find a routine that works for you and stick with it (until your lo decides to change everything on you which is unfortunately quite often!  )!!

Let me know if there are any more questions/comments!! 

[tigercakemum]

I have been single side feeding since day 1 and have had no problems with milk production or DD bieng satisfied. I was also worried at the start that she wasnt getting enough but you body somehow reads what you need to produce and does it - which is amazing. Also if you whip your LO off too soon and change over surely they wont be getting the hind milk which is the bit which really helps them grow. My right breast always feels fuller then the left one and I can expess one more oz off it too.

Another question I have is how long of a feed should she be having??? She will nurse for 5-10 mins and then she will go off and on for another 10 mins. HELP I'm so confused!!!

DD feeds for around 10 mins with great gusto (feels like a dyson) with big gulps then slows down for another 5-10 mins - she is 15 weeks old now. When she has finished she gets a "drunken" kind of look - eyes rolling and very relaxed and her lips are full with little rosy cheeks. She wakes up after 5 mins again and does her burping and activity time.

At the end of the day you know best how to read your body and your LO so go with what you feel and not what people tell you. I have found out that there are conflicting opinions on everything and at the end of the day you have to trust your own judgement once you have all the information in. If your LO is gaining weight and thriving it doesnt matter really does it?

[sophiasmommy]

Thank You all for your advice I feel much better knowing there are moms who are feeling the same way I am! I think I will continue with the single side feeding (to answer someones question, she is satisfied after the right breast) I tried to switch sides the day before yesterday and she was fussy, so I went back to single side feeds yesterday and she was fine! So I guess I should just follow her cues! Thank You all so much for putting a silly moms mind at ease!!

[LLLena]

Thank you for your help.  It might not seem like a lot, but I appreciate any words of encouragement.  My DS is thriving and there isn't more to say about it!  Thanks!

[lisi's mum]

Slightly different scenairo, but the same question...

I single side fed my dd (6 months) up until her last growth spurt then moved on to both sides and am nervous to go back. She gulps down one side in under 5 minutes then bobs on and off a few times before I offer the other side which she then gulps down again in another 5 minutes. She always was a quick eater but it kind of seems to me that I may have mucked up my supply by always offering both sides now.

Over night she only gets one side. I want to get as much milk as possible into her during the day (4 hr easy, solids just introduced once a day) and she does survive quite happily on one side for those 4 hours. Confusing. Any opinions?

Katie

[daisymelan]

I just want to say that I was told that I should do single side until 3 months and then go to double sided.  This was by the bfing clinic at my hospital.  I did follow this advice, but later on, after becoming a mod I think, maybe just before, I tried to get my lo to single side again.  The choice is yours, but I think single side feeding makes so much sense.

Katie,

I really can't offer too much help as my son helped me move him to single side.  It was a really easy transition.  But he was the same. It was almost as if he was too lazy to work for the hindmilk.  I just kept offering him the drained side after he bobbed off.  Or I would wait 10 minutes and put him back on the same breast.  After that, then put back on the other breast to make sure they are full.  After awhile hopefully your little girl will start "working" again at getting the hind milk. 

But again, it's personal choice. 

Aidens Mom: Is there anything else you want answered or want support with?  I just want to make sure you have everything you need to continue.

[tiki_mama]

it may be a matter of personal preference but i think from a biological point of view it is quite important to ensure that each breast is emptied before you switch to the other side. the main reason for this is the different type of milk you produce.

when the baby starts feeding they receive fore milk which is very watery and basically quenches their thirst. after about 10 minutes (on average) they will start to receive the hind milk which is much thicker and very high in calories. this is the milk that will help your baby put on weight. if you stop on one breast and switch to the next before the baby has taken enough hind milk they may not receive all the nutrients and calories they need and may not put on as much weight as they should.

also, your body is eventually sent a signal that the hind milk is not required and it may stop producing so much