Always eating off both breasts? Do I have enough milk?

[diana_of_the_dunes]

From what I've read and heard from friends, it seems like most babies will only drain one breast per feeding. Sometimes they'll "nibble" a little from the second breast, but most of the meal comes from one side or the other. My 2 week old DS always eats from both breasts. He only took one when I was really engorged in the beginning, but now he nurses at least 10 minutes on each side. Neither breast ever really feels "full" anymore, except at night when he'll go 3-4 hours between feedings. During the day he eats every 2 hours or so, but doesn't seem to get that "happy, full, milk-coma" look afterwards. He's still pooping and peeing plenty, but I'm so worried he's not getting enough because he doesn't seem satisfied after a meal. It's especially bad in the evenings, and he's sort of inconsolable unless he's sucking on something (finger, boob, whatever). But even then he doesn't go to sleep, and last night he was up for 3 hours straight (and not very happy about it).

At his first ped appointment he'd regained his birthweight plus 13 oz, so things were definitely okay at that point. But just a week later, my boobs feel completely different. I know my breasts shouldn't be engorged at each feeding, but they seem to deflate awfully quickly now... Should I try pumping after a feeding to see if I can up my supply? Since I feel like I'm emptying both breasts at each meal, it's like I don't have anything in reserve if DS is really hungry...

Ugh, I wish my boobs came with ounce markers...

[Lil'Momma]

Babies at that age are sometimes naturally fussy in the evenings and they have a natural desire to suck, be it anything. The absolute best indication of what goes in is what comes out. As long as he is having the right amount of poopy and wet diapers, he is getting enough.

Some people milk regulates much quicker than others, it could be that for you. If you really think he is still hungry, and you feel empty, you can always let him hang out on the boob. It will fulfill his desire to suck and stimulate more milk in the process.

Good luck and hopefully other mommas will have more advice...

As for the eating off both breasts, my kiddos always nursed on both sides, rigorously, so that's not that uncommon.

[Super~Single~Mama]

my guess would be that its a growth spurt. Just nurse nurse nurse!!! Really, the more you nurse (and eat and drink to keep yourself hydrated) the more milk you will make.

Also, is he still napping a ton? My son at that age was really only awake for short periods of time between feedings - so maybe try and put him to sleep after he nurses.

And, my baby has been draining both breasts at each meal since he was younger than 2 weeks - so don't worry about that! As long as he's peeing and pooping enough he's drinking enough.

At this point I would be pumping after feedings to up your supply - although taking fenugreek and red raspberry leaf capsules wouldn't hurt and may help just a bit. If you're really worried (mama's intuition should always be followed!) go to your ped for a weight check and go from there.

[etsdtm99]

my kids both always ate on both sides, and often switched back to the first side again.. no supply issues here. if your DS is really hungry (ie. growth spurt) he will eat more often and nurse longer to increase your supply, if weight gain and wet/dirty diapers are good i wouldn't worry.

[sunnygir1]

If he's pooping, peeing, and growing, I wouldn't take his desire to suck as a cue that he's hungry.

Babies often want to suck to ease any discomfort they have; if you have a baby who really wants to suck, I recommend a pacifier. I didn't use one with my first, and later I wished I had because she was so inconsolable (colic for 7 months).

Could be a growth spurt, or could be colic, or could be he needs to burp or poop or has gas.

[diana_of_the_dunes]

Thanks everyone for the quick replies. He was going right to sleep after nursing, but yesterday was a bad day. Today seems to be going better, at least so far. We'll see how things work out this evening. If he still seems really fussy/hungry, I might call the ped tomorrow and see if we can come in for a weight check. I'm fairly certain he's not starving, but I want to eliminate that concern.

I might also try pumping after one of my morning feedings tomorrow.

Originally Posted by sunnygir1

Babies often want to suck to ease any discomfort they have; if you have a baby who really wants to suck, I recommend a pacifier. I didn't use one with my first, and later I wished I had because she was so inconsolable (colic for 7 months).

I've used a pacifier a bit, after ensuring that he was clean, dry, burped, fed, etc. He's had a high sucking need since he was born and isn't yet coordinated enough to find his hands. I'm really on the fence about them; one one hand I don't want to be constantly plugging in a pacifier, but on the other he seems to derive a LOT of comfort from it. So we're just trying to be selective about when he gets it... Once he can find his fingers, I hope to stop using it.

[lookyloo]

My best guess would be growth spurt. And at this age I think best to just nurse and nurse without worrying about following a feeding too soon. Just follow baby's lead and don't worry so much. Worrying decreases supply.

I remember at this age non-stop nursing sessions and my husband handing over the babe every hour saying I think he's hungry again. I found Rachel Maddow and Keith Olberman in the evening with a nursing babe a good way to pass the time.

Good Luck!

[mamazee]

If he's gaining weight and has plenty of wet diapers, then don't worry about how much milk you have. My baby drains both sides, I'm never engorged, and she's at the 90th percentile for weight. It has never felt like I produced much, like she nursed often enough, or like she nursed for a long enough amount of time, and yet she has been at the 90th percentile all along and, at 8 months, is just barely having a tiny amount of solids here and there - not enough to be contributing to her weight.

It was totally different with my first. Engorgement, constant feeding, etc. But all babies are different and so long as the baby is gaining and wetting, all is well. Look for output, not input, because there is no way to measure input.