BF question....

[ladybugamber]

I am sorta kinda new to this... I breastfed my first but only breastfed for two weeks.. ( I was young and unexperienced) I've been breastfeeding now for 5 weeks and you'd think I'd know this by now but I dont...

How do you know when you have emptied out your breast?? My son feeds for 10 minutes on each side (that's all I can get him to take at one feeding) and feeds every 3 hours... on the dot. But I dont know how I'm to know if my breast are empty or not when he finishes... Not sure if this is where I'm supposed to post this but I thought I'd try...

[bygones75]

Hi,

Here's the easiest way to do it: nurse from one breast at each feeding. Then you'll know he's getting foremilk and hindmilk (the carbs and fat). Don't time it. Just let him nurse til he's done. If he needs a burp break, burp him, and then bring him back to the breast he was on.

Your breasts are never really empty. It's just an expression, and a confusing one at that!

I'm no expert, but there are lots of knowledgable women over at the breastfeeding board. Also, I learned tons at my local breastfeeding support group (check your hospital or Le Leche). Free lactation consulting!

[HeatherB]

Okay, was writing a response and realized I may have outdated info, myself... So here are some links that maybe will help! (Though my personal thought is that it sounds like you're doing great and therefore I wouldn't change it up - unless he's not having good weight gain or diaper output.)

Weeks 2-6:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/ne...tml#afterweek1

Is baby getting enough milk?:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/enough-milk.html

Hindmilk vs. Foremilk:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/fo...-hindmilk.html

Hope that helps a bit!

[hammycakes]

Both of those answers are good. I can tell because it feels soft and squishy and the baby kind of loses interest ( if full) or starts getting aggravated ( if still hungry).