One boob or two?

[bumperlicious]

DD is feeding like a maniac at the moment. Just wondering if I should try and get her to stick to one boob at a time or offer the second? And how do I know when she is done on one boob? She keeps pulling of but then going back on and sort of moving her head around. Is that a sign that she is done with that one?

[terramum]

I have always offered the 2nd side when DS come off the first or seemed to have finished a feed (stopped suckling regularly or seemed agitated/fidgety) Most of the time he did have a feed off the second one, although it was usually a shorter feed.

When DS feeds to sleep he sometimes drifts off into a light sleep on the first & so gently unlatch him when he stops suckling & put him on the second one. If he just lies there I know he has gone to sleep...but if he starts suckling I know he isn't quite finished yet!

When he is very hungry DS sometimes has the first, then the other side...then asks for the first one again (he is 3 btw so actually asked for "that one" & points!).. he did that this afternoon. I think it was because he hadn't any other feeds so far today as we have been out 7 about.

I think it's just a case of responding to their signals at that time. If they seem a bit fidgety or not happy on the one it can't hurt to offer the other side. I think all babies are different & some will be satisfied usually with just one & some like to have both. Depends on how thirst/hungry they are I guess & how the let down is in each boob etc.

[Anonymama]

If DD feeding like a maniac, might be a growth spurt, and the extra demand will stimulate more supply. By offering the second boob each time you will increase your supply of milk (as both boobs stimulated to produce more frequently). Similarly, when trying to wean 'em off, offer one boob at each feed (but sounds like that could be a long way off!)

[DITDOT]

Sorry if you know this but the fore milk (watery thirst queching) comes first for approx 5 mins then hind milk (rich, creamy and full of nutrients) comes after. As long as baby gets both from 1 boob you can try giving the second. However if baby just sucking for 5 ish mins then goes on other boob they are not getting the hind milk which fills them up!!!

[cornflakegirl]

Ditdot - I don't think that's quite how the foremilk / hindmilk thing works actually - it depends on how long it is since the last feed and stuff. I know Tiktok's posted about it loads - will try to find a thread.

[idle]

offer both. Wait until she appears to have finished, then offer the other side.

If still hungry - swap back again. This is how supply is built up.

She'll be getting a more fattier mix as she keeps swapping too.

[cornflakegirl]

Just found a fab Tiktok quote:

"You know sumpin'? It doesn't matter

The guidance about timings is ok, but honestly, if you switch sooner or later, it really won't matter in the longer term.

The thing about 30 mins to 'reach' the hindmilk is based on a misunderstanding, and I don't understand why more than 45 mins is a no-no. Baby sorts out foremilk and hindmilk, and timing is unnecessary

In the early days, as long as each side is roughly stimulated the same, you'll be ok. With more established bf, it matters much less, and many babies have a fave breast they use more."

(From this thread about when to switch sides, if you want to put it in context.)

I really wish someone had told me that in the early days! I never used to know whether DS was done with a side or whether he was fussing

[cornflakegirl]

And Tiktok's explanation of foremilk and hindmilk:

"The breasts do not make 2 diff. sorts of milk - it's just that the more watery components of the milk trickle down to the front of the breast between feeds, and the fattier milk comes with the let down."

(Tiktok is a breastfeeding counsellor and the resident guru on all things breastfeeding, if you haven't come across her yet.)

[DITDOT]

If this is the case then everything I learnt when I trained at university is wrong and the lecturers didn't know a thing!!! This was also the info backed up by the midwife when I had probs feeding. Like everything in the medical profession there are grey areas and plenty of opinions but no one will give the a specific answer for fear of being sued!!!

[TheQueenOfQuotes]

well Tiktok's explanation is what I've always been told too - since I had DS1 (now nearly 7yrs old). And it's on all of the breastfeeding support websites I've looked at.

[idle]

I'd say so, DITDOT.

Things change and new things are discovered.

I agree with tiktok's explanation of hindmilk/foremilk.