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When to switch breasts?

bossyfnpbossyfnp member
in Breastfeeding
This may be a stupid question. Ive been feeding off one breast per session for awhile due to oversupply. Once things get under control (if they do?). How will I know that its okay to go to the second breast? Right now, LO makes a noise and may pop himself off BUT I burp him and then offer him that side again to finish, then he goes to sleep. But if it happens more than once then I will go to the second side. am I risking anything by doing this? Thanks
 
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Re: When to switch breasts?

  • ChichigoChichigo member
    That's the strategy I use. I haven't had any issues with supply and LO is gaining well.
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  • redhead610redhead610 member
    You do not have to feed both sides each feeding. If baby is gaining weight well, having enough wet/dirty diapers, and is full after one side, you can just feed one side per session, then do the other breast next time.
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  • vanessaw34vanessaw34 member
    are you still feeding off of just one side at a time? i'm doing the same thing due to over supply, but now that LO is going longer between feedings, i become full and uncomfortable more often. i'm not sure if feeding from both sides might alleviate this? or if people have had success feeding off just one side once LO is older?
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  • AprilloMomAprilloMom member
    I fed from one side at a time for the first 4 months or so, then as my supply regulated (and my oversupply subsided) I would offer both sides.  At first I could never tell when he was comfort sucking or actually drinking. I would have like 45 minute nursing sessions. Finally someone told me if he is sucking over 5-6 times between swallows, then you can switch. Not sure if there is any research behind that, but it worked very well for us. I would offer one side, then when he slowed down switch to the other side. Next session start with the side you ended on to keep it even. Hope this makes sense. 
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  • inluv4life2inluv4life2 member
    Thank you for asking this. I was curious about the same thing
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  • MamaWombatMamaWombat member
    AprilloMom said:
    I fed from one side at a time for the first 4 months or so, then as my supply regulated (and my oversupply subsided) I would offer both sides.  At first I could never tell when he was comfort sucking or actually drinking. I would have like 45 minute nursing sessions. Finally someone told me if he is sucking over 5-6 times between swallows, then you can switch. Not sure if there is any research behind that, but it worked very well for us. I would offer one side, then when he slowed down switch to the other side. Next session start with the side you ended on to keep it even. Hope this makes sense. 
    Thanks for posting this tip! FTM and at 8 weeks, still finding myself massively confused about how to tell when LO is hungry, done with one side, or full. I'll have to try this. 
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  • ns1ns1 member
    Sounds like you have a good strategy. LO popping off was my cue, but like you I would always offer the same side again after one time off and a burp. Fwiw I typically only fed from one side the entire time I bf.
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