[baybemama]

My milk came in a few days ago and the LC at the hospital said to offer both breasts but there hasn't been a feeding yet where he hasn't been completely asleep at the end of one breast. It this ok? Is it maybe because I'm getting engorged and have a ton of milk?<br><br>
Should I pump the other side if he's too sleepy to take it? He's only 6 days old so I don't know if it's too soon to pump.<br><br>
TIA!

 

[my3peanuts]

I would not pump. He will eat as much as he needs. Once your supply evens out a bit he'll probably start taking both breasts. If you start pumping you'll only increase your supply further which you probably don't need at this point. Good luck!

 

[captainkitty]

I don't think my DD ever nursed on both sides -- one side was enough for that feeding, then I would alternate for the next feeding. Worked fine. I second the advice about not pumping, UNLESS you have some need to build up a freezer stash right away. But if you pump on the side you did not nurse, you will be inclined to nurse the next time on the same side again, etc., which does not work so well. Best to have the baby nurse on both sides sequentially.<br><br>
It will be fine <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[Attached Mama]

Some suggest both breasts because the more often the breast is nursed, the more milk it will produce. If you have enough milk, then no worries. There are advantages to nursing on just one side each time - the baby is sure to get the rich hind milk. Whereas switching sides can happen before one side is all the way emptied of the hind milk. As your baby gets older, if he's still hungry, then you have the other breast to offer, and then your milk supply will go up too. It all works so beautifully! Enjoy your new wee one. Congratulations!

 

[JaneSmith1010]

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<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>baybemama</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7980839"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">My milk came in a few days ago and the LC at the hospital said to offer both breasts but there hasn't been a feeding yet where he hasn't been completely asleep at the end of one breast. It this ok? Is it maybe because I'm getting engorged and have a ton of milk?<br><br>
Should I pump the other side if he's too sleepy to take it? He's only 6 days old so I don't know if it's too soon to pump.<br><br>
TIA!</div>
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Mmmm....my ds did this too. He didn't eat off of both breasts until his first growth spurt. However, I had a very heavy supply and became engorged if I didn't pump off the side he hadn't eaten on. I took that as an opportunity to build up my freezer stash. And while your baby will regulate your supply with however much he/she nurses, becoming too engorged is not a good thing. My supply evened out after a week or so even with me pumping b/c I think ds caught up...sounds wierd.

 

[turnipmama]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>baybemama</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7980839"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">My milk came in a few days ago and the LC at the hospital said to offer both breasts but there hasn't been a feeding yet where he hasn't been completely asleep at the end of one breast. It this ok? Is it maybe because I'm getting engorged and have a ton of milk?<br><br>
Should I pump the other side if he's too sleepy to take it? He's only 6 days old so I don't know if it's too soon to pump.<br><br>
TIA!</div>
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wow, having the same situation w/ my 3 day old! I was thinking about pumping but I don't think I am engorged yet (how do you tell? they are full and hard but feel better after a feeding) so I may hold off....DD has yet to take both sides, or even empty one side....

 

[baybemama]

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<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>turnipmama</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7983114"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">wow, having the same situation w/ my 3 day old! I was thinking about pumping but I don't think I am engorged yet (how do you tell? they are full and hard but feel better after a feeding) so I may hold off....DD has yet to take both sides, or even empty one side....</div>
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I knew because my boobs were hurting! And when I went to feed it was like trying to get him to latch on to a basketball, my nipple practically disappeared. It hasn't been to terrible because I do keep nursing him and try not to let him go too long without feeding. I know what you mean about not even emptying one side. I usually feel like there is some left but then when I look in the mirror I can tell what side he ate off of because it's not as round.

 

[Stephanie L.]

It's all so unique that this must be the supply-and-demand situation that suits the two of you. If he falls asleep after nursing it sounds like you did a perfect job!!<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up"><br><br>
I have been nursing every single day now for 4 years and (over) 8 months. In the beginning we only nursed on one side per feeding. When my baby got much bigger she wanted more milk and we used both breasts.<br><br>
I remember having to use a hair scrunchy on my wrist at night. This was to tell me which side to nurse on next during our night nursings. We nursed soooooo much at night and only on one side, I needed help! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"><br><br>
You can't MAKE a baby nurse more, though. If he falls asleep, he's done. Don't wake him to switch sides. If he's been at one side for a long time and wants more maybe it is time to switch...

 

[alegna]

We always just fed one side. Worked fine.<br><br>
-Angela

 

[Klynne]

When babe's a little older it will be easier to feed from both sides. DD fell asleep always after one breast the first weeks, but as she got older she started to take for both. I agree with pp about pumping. engorgment is a normal thing the first weeks ime.

 

[marie1080]

My DD is 5 months and nearly always takes only one breast.

 

[mouso]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>marie1080</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7985805"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">My DD is 5 months and nearly always takes only one breast.</div>
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My DD still takes only 1 side at 5 months. It's fine. She gets foremilk, hindmilk, the works! She is a fat and happy kiddo.<br>
And at the beginning I would pump a bit because I wanted a stash in the freezer, good idea if you want a stash and have the extra milk.

 

[amandaleigh37]

My son has always taken just one side, except for a few rare occasions. I wouldn't worry about it! Just try to alternate though so you don't get too lopsided <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">