Unsure if DD needs 2nd breast.

[vicki3]

Hi my DD is 6 weeks old and I have been single side feeding since she has been born. She always feeds in 6 minutes. Now I realise as she has gotten older that there doesn't seem to be anything left in the breast. I have tried to keep her on it anyway to help produce more milk (and done this for approx. 1 week) but nothing extra seems to be happening. I used to notice I would have about 2 or 3 letdowns in a feed but now i just get one at the beginning of a feed. I am afraid she is still hungry. She does last 3 hrs between feeds though sometimes she can seem hungry (because she sucks on her dummy ferociously) but I make her wait which is pretty easy because she is a pretty calm baby. The only time she seems to make a massive deal is when she is trying to go to poo. She has only put on 100g each week for the past 2 weeks. My community nurse said to start her on the second breast but I know this isn't what BW suggests. She also strains so much to try and do a poo and is lucky to get out 1 in every 2 days now. Should I introduce some water.She weighs 9lb now. I am worried that she might be a little dehydrated, she is weeing frequently though but it is a little stronger in smell than it was before. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Carter'sMama]

Hi there!

I would hold off on introducing water at this stage as your lo is so young.  It is really up to you if you want to start feeding from both sides.  If you think that she may not be getting enough than it might be a good idea.  However, if you want to hold off for awhile, maybe you could try pumping after a feed (esp if your lo won't continue suckling) to see if that stimulation will help your breasts to produce more milk.  There are herbal supplements as well (Fenugreek) that are supposed to help.  Make sure that you are well rested and getting plenty to eat and drink as that greatly affects your milk supply.

I didn't start double side feeding until the 6 month growth spurt happened but I know many women who have never had to double side feed.  There are also many who fed from both sides from the beginning.  Personally I think it is a decision that is based on baby's needs.

Hope this helps! 

[Samuel's mum]

I would say that double-sided feeding may help in your situation. It really is your choice. Tracy seems fairly flexible on the issue as baby get older. On P.116 of the first book, Secrets of the BW, she says the move to double-sided may happen when the baby reaches around 12lb. For some I guess it can come sooner and some certainly later (or even never).
For a 6 week old breastfed baby 1 poo in 2 days is ABSOLUTELY fine. This is normal and healthy and does not indicate constipation. Breastmilk has very little 'waste' compared to other milks. Some breastfed babies don't poo for a week or more. What may sound like straining is just her getting on with it - it won't be constipation as we know it. Constipation in bf babies is virtually unheard of. Certainly hold off on the water - especially if you have any concerns about your supply (it may reduce it) or weight gain. Any water you give 'fills up' baby's tummy and can reduce the desire for milk. This consequently means less demand on your milk supply. Even in very hot climates foremilk is all the hydration a baby needs.

[vicki3]

Thankyou for your posts back. This morning I started DD on the breast and then put her on the second one and she had a couple of sucks and wasn't really interested, so maybe she is satisfied on one breast. I also pumped the remaining out of the first breast and was lucky after a while to get an ounce so I've put it in the fridge. Is it alright to add to that same batch throughout the day so that she ends up with a bigger feed and if I don't feed it to her can it be frozen in the AVENT bottles. Also thankyou for your advice on the water, I didn't realise that they were getting that more or less in the foremilk. And my DD did a great poo this morning so she is feeling pretty good at the moment.
Much appreciated. I feel so much more confident being a mother (even though this is my 2nd child - DS is 7yrs old) knowing that I have this web site to chat with you all.