How do you know when a side is finished?

janbrady

DD feeds a lot during the day and will sometimes falls asleep midfeed. I of course try to wake her up, but sometimes there's no doing. She will either wake up in 10 minutes or go down for a real nap (most likely the 10 minute thing). Do I keep her on the same breast? I know to keep supply up you need to 'finish' or as much as possible drain a breast. When it's 'soft'? When baby complains? When baby pulls off?

 When do you switch sides?

ETA - Also, if you finish a side and start the other side at the same feeding. You should start on the second side at the next feeding yes? What if that first side feels more full?

eml569

If my LO has fallen asleep on the boob (doesn't happen so much anymore, but did a lot in the beginning) I would offer the same one, as long as he hadn't eaten for a long time on that one. Then offer the 2nd breast if he still wanted to eat. If he didn't eat a lot/finish side 2, feed on that one the next time.

Sometimes I wouldn't be able to tell, but you don't want to get into the habit of offering one breast more frequently than the other. You'll get a higher supply on that side and a lower supply on the non-favored, which could lead to having lopsided breasts. You don't want that

I can usually tell which side to start on based on the squish factor, but it isn't always that obvious so I've gotten into the habit of wearing an elastic hair tie on my wrist all the time. I just transfer it back and forth to indicate which side to use next. It has been my life-saver at night!

kerriandjeremy

I was wondering the same thing!  I am glad you asked!