I have a 'dumb' question

[BaileyB]

How do u know if/when to switch baby to other breast when BF-ing? I had a MAJOR over supply and baby has always nursed on one side per feeding and still does (8 weeks old now) but now she has started to tug and grunt a little towards the end of a nursing session making me believe that she is looking for some more milk, and it seems like it is increasing my milk supply again in each breast (heavy letdown spray, etc.). After nursing on one side about 50% of the time she will fuss or cry a little but then will calm down after having her paci. She's a really happy easy going baby and at 8 weeks old is 25" long and 11 lbs. 9 oz. so I am not worried about her starving or not growing, haha. I was hoping that eventually I could reduce my milk supply enough so I can feed both breasts each nursing session so that I am not so lopsidedly engorged/full.

Once supply is regulated how do I know when baby is ready to switch sides? Do I wait for her to pull off and then switch her? Take her off and switch her myself part of the way through a feed? I'm not sure if feeding at both breasts per feed will increase my supply or what. She doesn't fall asleep when nursing, just dozes off for a minute or so when nursing at night. I feel stupid for not researching breastfeeding more. I thought it was as easy as place baby at boob and repeat as needed.

[Monkey pants]

I like this question and am looking forward to an answer. I have the same issue. :)

[HappyMommy2]

This is not a dumb question! 

I would say, yes, when the baby tugs at the breast, s/he is asking your boobies to make more milk.  So, if you are already engorged, this is a perfect time to switch breasts.

Researching is great, but don't beat yourself up for not doing a ton of it.  You are doing a great thing for your baby, and now you just need to trust your instincts.  Your boobies and your baby will guide the way!  For example, you already feel like this is the right time to switch sides, so listen to your mama instincts.

(oh - and count yourself lucky that your bf'ing is so straight-forward!)

My baby is 3mo next week, and she sometimes feeds on one side, and sometimes on both sides.  I also give her a paci since I feel like an old pro at BFing now.  (although paci's are not a good idea when a mommy wants to increase supply.)  If both my giant boobies are empty, and I can tell she doesn't want any more milk, I let her have the paci and then she promptly falls asleep!

To answer your other question: I switch sides at different times, including the tugging  and popping-off you describe.  Also, if one boob starts to hurt a little, or if I am just feeling like I want/need to do the other one. (for any reason, including my own comfort!)

Your breasts are still regulating at 2 months.  They will naturally produce the right amount of milk that baby needs (drinks) for a long time.  Just trust in it.

[averlee]

I have found all kinds of answers to this question. Some say, if you want to feed from both breasts, let them fully drain the 1st breast before switching, so they get foremilk-hindmilk-foremilk. Some say, switch after a certain number of minutes and let them fully drain the 2nd breast, then offer the 1st side again.

There seems to be no "right" answer to this question. My daughter always fell asleep on the first breast, until she was several months old.

[CheriK]

Feeding on both sides can definitely increase your supply.  If you're struggling with oversupply, nursing on one side each feeding helps ensure that baby gets more fat, as the fat content of the milk increases as the breast becomes more empty (also called foremilk and hindmilk, but sometimes there's a misperception that there is some concrete difference btwn fore and hind, when the milk fat concentration actually increases over the course of the feeding and as the breast becomes more nearly "empty").  Some oversupply moms find they need to feed on one breast for more than one feed, sometimes called block nursing, because baby cannot "empty" the breast at one feed and needs more than one feed to get milk with a higher fat concentration.  Mom may keep baby on one breast for a particular # of feeds or # of hours, or simply change sides only when one side feels well drained.

Moms with oversupply and/or overactive letdown (OS/OALD) often find that baby becomes used to milk flow being fairly fast.  Baby may start tugging when the flow slows to stimulate another letdown and fast milk flow (have you ever seen farm animals like piglets, calves, or goats nurse?  they are quite aggressive about doing this!).  This doesn't necessarily mean it's time to change sides.  You might try some breast compression (good description here: http://www.drjacknewman.com/help/Breast-compression.asp).  This speeds the flow of milk and can stimulate another letdown.  If baby is truly not satisfied at one breast (continuing to tug at the nipple, popping on/off, fussing, not acting content after the feed), then definitely offer both sides, but offering both sides at most feedings will probably throw you back into oversupply problems.

As baby gets older and your supply becomes more in tune w/ her needs, you'll find the lopsidedness will even out somewhat.  You'll probably always find that the side she nursed less from feels fuller and may look a bit bigger, but the difference will become less pronounced.  Many moms primarily feed on only one side.  Others always feed on both sides.  It depends on milk supply and storage capacity (how much milk your breasts can hold btwn feeds, which varies from mom to mom).

Babies who are unhappy with OS or OALD often don't comfort nurse or fall asleep at the breast.  If you're frequently spraying milk, your DD will pop off the breast and fuss or choke with letdown, you're noticing green or mucosy poops, then you might want to try block nursing and see if it helps.  Reducing your supply may encourage her to comfort nurse more.  If she's generally happy and easygoing, though, the oversupply may bother YOU more than it bothers her.  Your supply will adjust to her needs over time even if you don't do much of anything besides feed on the breast that feels full!

[Viola]

I would switch mine when they stopped swallowing and were kind of playing at the breast, or in the early days if they fell asleep.  I would offer the second breast, they often didn't take it.