She "sometimes" only eats on one side...WDYD?

[mommy2two]

Occasionally dd will only nurse on one side (usually if she is too tired and falls asleep after first side). When this happens, what do you do? Do you pump the other side or just let it go and feed her from the other side first at the next feed?

Also, when she only eats on one side I notice she is hungry much sooner (like after 2 hours instead of 2.5 or 3 hrs). I really want her to eat a full meal and eat from both sides rather then snack, but I have trouble making her as she just refuses sometimes. Any advice with this issue?

Edited to add: Baby is 6 weeks old.

Thanks!

[binxyboo]

How old is your baby. I am guessing she is still pretty young. With Riley, I just kind of went with the flow. I found switch feeding worked well to keep him awake ie feed for about 5 mins first side until he slowed down, stopped actively sucking, or fell asleep, then burped him to rouse him and switched to the other side. I would switch back and forth as long as he was interested. As he got older, he got more alert and this was less of an issue for us. Some Moms do only nurse from one side per feed anyway. I never did pump, things just fell into place themselves.

[Carter'sMama]

Many women single side feed at that age which is perfectly fine, as is double side feeding!  Where I live they teach you in the hospital to double side feed until your milk comes in and then switch to single side feeding.  I single side fed until the 6 month growth spurt when one side was no longer enough.  People do different things all the time!

If you are used to feeding from both sides and she only takes one side I would recommend pumping the other side just to keep your supply up.  Because of your lo's age you are really still establishing your supply so it would be helpful.  It might be more comfortable for you too! 

HTH