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Confused breastfeeder needs help!!

ashleynb7ashleynb7
in Breastfeeding

With my 1st DC my supply dried up after 6 weeks so I am really trying to do everything right this time and I need help!!  I am EBFing my 6 day old and just want to be succesful this time around!  Several questions:

During feedings, he won't always nurse on both sides.  I have been letting him nurse on one side until he pulls away, then I burp him and attempt for the other side.  Most of the time he is full and won't take the other side.  Is this okay as long as I start the next feeding on the breast he wouldn't take or should I shorten the time on the first breast in hopes that he will take the other breast and not just be "satisfied" with what he got?

When should I start pumping should I decide to?  (How many weeks post birth) If I pump, should I pump immediately following a feeding?  I wouldn't want to pump to illiminate breastfeeding, just to have milk stored to do some bottle feedings.

Thanks for all the advice you have!!!

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Re: Confused breastfeeder needs help!!

  • cvincent0423cvincent0423
    i would see an LC who could look at your specific situation and develop a plan to maintain your supply. ?i had an oversupply until around 6 months and he only fed on one side at a time during that time and was satisfied with that. ?i switched sides for the next feeding. ?if he doesn't empty the breast, you could see a dip in supply since your body will think that it doesn't need to produce as much. ?again though, i would talk to a LC since you had difficulty last time. ?
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  • lawry13lawry13 member
    For the first few weeks, DD only ate from one side and I just started the next feeding on the side she didn't eat from.  The LC I saw suggested pumping right after a feeding for 10 minutes to up my supply (trick your body into thinking LO needed more).  She told me that when DD was a week and a half old.  She had me rent a hospital grade pump (even though I had a Medela PIS at home).  I didn't see much difference between the two pumps.
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  • Lucy_Plus_One!Lucy_Plus_One! member

    For the first couple weeks I only fed from one side and then started the next feeding with the other side. A lot of people do that and its fine if thats what works for you. My DD takes both sides now and I think she is getting enough this way, but maybe wasn't w/ one side. As long as your baby is gaining weight correctly and having enough wet diapers its fine. Although I am not sure what this would do to your supply if there is an issue.

    To up my supply I pumped both sides for 15 mins right after every feeding for the first couple of weeks with a Medela PIS. It sucked, but it worked and I am producing enough to feed now. I started pumping on day 4. Once you are pumping to stash milk you will want to pump at least an hour after a feeding (and at least an hour before the next) so that you can get maximum amount, but still have some in there for the next feeding.

    HTH! GL!

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  • changingnameschangingnames member
    better to finish one side competely than have half of both boobs- that way he gets the creamier hindmilk.  It is very normal for DC to have one boob not two- jsut switch off and read www.kellymom.com for great info. best of luck this time around.
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