Question About Timing While Breastfeeding

First question I have is how is your supply? Do you have a high/low or normal supply? I have a very high supply so I have to feed my son on only one side at a time. I do this bc if you were to switch sides too soon, then the baby won't get enough "hind" milk which is the more filling milk. So I say how much you produce makes a big difference. The main thing is making sure you are emptying at least one side each time you feed. That helps both you, from getting any infections and it also helps the baby to stay full longer and get the fat that the hind milk provides. Although I am NOT an expert, still new to breastfeeding myself this is what I have gathered in talking to other mom's and reading up on some info.
Good luck! When it all works out it will be so much easier!!

Try contacting a consultant at the WIC office. good luck!

I just weened my baby from breast feeding and I have breast feed all of my kids the only thing i did was let them feed when they are ready and sometimes they do favor the other breast more then the other. But sometimes feeding in the one breast doesn't always work.learned to use a breast pump sometimes but just rotate the breast offer one side at one feeding and the other at the next.sometimes some babies do timed feedings my last baby didn't I learned that ever baby is differant.And some baby just do things differantly then others.and it does become hard at times. My baby always knew when I was about to eat something and was wanting to eat no matter what time of day it was he just knew. It drove me nuts but they do get better babies I think are funny that way.

I am relatively new to this area, and had both of my children when I lived in NJ. I breast fed both of them to 22 months. (Yes, twenty-two. Everthing that didn't come from me, was presented in a cup.)

I was a member of a National group known as "La Leche League". It's latin for The Milk Club. I'm sure there's a link to them on line. Look for a local group. (babies are ALWAYS welcome, so no sitter needed) It's free to attend.

They were my BEST supporters, as I was from the Bottle Bay generation, and my mom knew nothing about it.

From what I recall (my youngest is turning 25 on Monday!) I would start with the fuller side for about five minutes, then switch to the other side after a quick burp pause. After about 10 minutes or so, when I felt they needed another burp, I'd switch back to the first side again.

It worked for us. You'll find your own pattern. Each baby is different. Find what works for YOU two! Remember, babies can't read yet, so they don't know the rules!!!! They make up their own!

Congrats on choosing the best for your baby!

***May he return home safely and soon!

I was always encouraged to do 10 to 15 min. You are the mom and you know your baby and your body better than anyone. What the pediatrician is trying to suggest by telling you 5 min. is because the first substance that comes out before the breast milk has lots of nutrients and this way your baby doesn't fill up on one breast and then won't take the other. If your baby will feed from one 10 to 15 min. and it give you comfort from fullness then your baby spends the same amount or even less on the other that's o.k. Just start your baby on the other breast first the next feeding.

You may or may not know this but if you are getting engorged the hospitals do have rental breast pumps you can rent on a monthly basis. It's much better than the cost of purchasing one unless you plan on having more than one or two children. Pumping is such a great relief and that way none is wasted.

As far as the woman that you live with watching over you, you may have to kindly tell her that you are going to do what feels natural to you. You are not harming your baby but if you get too engorged you are going to be misearble.

When it comes to breastfeeding, unfortuntaly doctors aren't always up to date on correct information. A lot of times what they know, is what they hear from other patients, which unforunately, isn't always correct! Many people are misinformed about breastfeeding, and we have so many doctors in our area who mean well, but give very bad breastfeeding advice to moms, who end up having more problems.
This is not to say that all doctors know nothing about breastfeeding, all I'm saying is just because your doctor says it, that doesn't make it true. Like in your situation, if you find that what the doctors suggests goes against what is working for you and baby, seek advice from a breastfeeding specialist!! These are people who are trained in breastfeeding, and unfortunately, a lot of doctors are not. Talk to your doctor about health issues, talk to a lactation consultant/breastfeeding counselor about breastfeeding issues!

Also, when it comes to leaking, don't let that fool you. That has nothing to do with your milk supply. The majortiy of women have more milk than they realize. You have plenty of milk, don't worry. You soon will stop leaking altogether, and won't feel any fullness or anything. That also has nothing to do with your milk supply. Again, go by the baby's cues. If the baby seems satisfied, even if only for an hour, you're giving the baby plenty of milk!! If you are unsure, talk to a breastfeeding counselor or lactation consultant. There are ways we can help you realize how much milk you really have and whether you need to change anything.

Hi H.,
When I nurse I always let them nurse on one side as long as they want until the breast is empty, then I switch sides. I keep in mind which breast I started on and which one they finished on. The next time I nurse, I start on the breast that they finished on since it usually wasn't emptied (and yes sometimes they get engorged - a little & a lot). It only takes a few days for your body to figure out what's going on and then it seems to stop the engorging, but you'll still have a good supply going. Also, trust your baby. Sometimes my son will only nurse for a few minutes on one side before he decides he's done and then he'll totally empty the other breast...since that doesn't happen too often, I figure it's ok. Just throws another curve for your body. *G*
Hope that helps!
Y.

I'm not sure why switching breast after only 5 minutes will help fill your baby up faster since he's getting more of the watery breastmilk that comes first and not so much of the very thick, filling, and more important part of the breast milk which comes gradually and completes his meal. I can't second guess your ped but I make sure my baby has finished on one side completely before trying to switch sides.
Good luck!

I agree with Sonja and Cathryn. I let my little one feed on one side until he tells me he is finished. I remember which side I nursed on, and nurse the other side when he is ready to feed again. If he still seems hungry when the one side is empty, then offer the other side. Your body will regulate and adjust to his demands. Follow what your gut tells you to do. What feels right for you and your baby. Good luck! Keep up the wonderful job of breastfeeding!!!

Please do what feels good for you. Everybody is different and only you can feel what is right for you and your baby.
I am currently breastfeeding as well. I have an abudance of milk in both breasts. This means that since there are 2 different kinds of milk, if I switch my son would only get the foremilk twice. Apperantly the foremilk is a lot thinner so it flows faster for a hungry baby. For me it is better to keep my son on the same breast during a whole feeding so he gets the fattier milk as well. I tried to switch in the beginning but he really was hungrier much faster.
I did have a problem with being engorged because of this but that got much less after a few days.
I found this to work for me although the hospital did suggest to offer my son the other breast after 5 or 10 minutes.
You really have to follow your own guts. Good luck!

I have heard that if you child normally eats for 30 minutes that you should do about 10 on one side then burp and do 20 on the other, then when you feed next you use the 10 min side as it is more full for the 20 minute and switch to the other side. I personally did not use this method. I did about 20 on both sides (she was a slow eater). I feed her starting on my right and finished on my left, and then the next time the same thing, I had some engorgment the first couple of days, but this worked best for us. I have heard of doing it the way your doctor suggests, however you need to do what is comfortable for you and the baby, and you could have a larger milk supply than what your baby needs, in that case I would pump the extra and store it for emergency or when you want to go out to have it for the babysitter. Also contact your local leche group and ask them, honestly they are better at advise than most doctors because of the experience. Good luck.

I think the goal that doctors and hospitals have is to get mothers to breast feed at all, since that's relatively rare by itself, rather than to focus on how to do it well. Once your baby has it down and your supply is steady I think you are the best expert as to how your own body works best. I had a horrible time with being engorged, and getting a clogged duct is a nightmare, so I tend to think that draining at least one breast completely at each feeding is important. While there is a difference nutritionally between the foremilk and the hindmilk, your baby will get about the same proportion of each over time anyway, so I think following your body's and your baby's rythms is probably the best way to go.

That doesn't sound right to me. He then has to work twice as hard for the milk "flow" or the "let down". Let him nurse on either side, as long as he wants!

Hi H.,

Don't listen to the Ped. You know your body and your baby knows what he wants. I was encouraged to do exactly what your Ped. is suggesting but it simply did not work for me. I am currently breastfeeding my gorgeous daughter and the ONLY thing that has ever worked for us is to eat on one breast and then for the next feeding eat from the other breast. She feeds every 2 to 4 hours so my breasts never have the time to get engorged except at night.

Congrats on the new baby! We have five and all breast fed, some longer than others! When the baby wakes up I would feed him for about 15 minutes then get up change his diaper, make sure to use that cold wipee then nurse him on the other side for the other 15 minutes. I learned this when we had our twins because they would eat real good for about 5 minutes then fall asleep. I know that cold wipee sounds a little harsh but whats that compared to struggling to get them to eat?? Good Luck!

Ignore your neighbor. If she has no children then she has no idea what kind of schedule they require. Breastfeeding has to go at your and your babys pace. If he only eats on one side then pump the other side to keep yourself even. No big deal. My 4 month old only eats on one side every time and I just alternate feedings. 10-15 min on one side one time and 10-15 min next on the other side. I pump in between. Or if you dont have time to be pumping all the time get a really good push up bra that can still be folded in ( to nurse) and you cant tell if you are a little lopsided. Just go with your babies schedule and demand. It can be realy confusing in the begining but when he gets hungry enough to eat on both sides he will. I never found a way to coax my little one on to the other side unless she was extremely hungry. Hope this helps and tell your boyfriend thanks for everything he is doing over there.
H.