this might sound silly but...when you breastfeed how do you know when you're empty?

Question

i hear that some girls know when to change to the other breast...but how will you know? can you feel it coming out or what? :) i cant wait to try it. oh and ps...does it tickle? :) lol. i'm pretty sensitive

Answer 1

You change to the other breast when the baby comes off the first breast on his/her own. This helps to make sure the baby gets plenty of the rich, fatty hindmilk.

You're NEVER "empty" because the breastmilk factory makes up the milk on demand.....kind of like being a short order cook. :-)

Answer 2

You don't, because you are never empty.

Your baby will let go when they are done, then you offer the other breast. If they want it they will take it.

Sometimes they switch because they want more watery foremilk. Sometimes they switch because they want a faster flow. And often they only want one breast for feeding. And sometimes they go back and forth and back and forth.

Some women can feel when it starts flowing, some can feel it coming out. I can't, but I can feel when I starting making a lot of milk just before my breasts get hard, or when the baby is really hungry.

I don't find it tickles.

I was kind of dreading it because honestly I don't like people touching my nipples, ever. Not during sex or foreplay. I'm not even a fan of rubbing a washcloth over them in the shower. But I also think breastfeeding is the only way to feed a baby. Even though I had latch problems I am glad I stuck with it. (Though unlike some women I don't really enjoy it, I find it neutral to ok)

Also it is so easy you never have to pack bottles, sterlize bottles, or worry about running out. You never become one of those moms obsessing over how much your baby eats at each sitting and each day. Though you may find yourself worried about your supply even though there are enough wet diapers and your baby is the pudgiest thing you've ever seen. (But being a mom makes you worry about strange things)

These are some good sites:

www.kellymom.com
www.lalecheleague.com

Also any articles by Dr Sears or Dr Newman.

Try to find a local lactation consultant just in case you need it and best of luck!

Oh and people always say "If you are doing it right it won't hurt" well you know what it may be slightly uncomfortable the first bit. Your nipples are lazy, they have done nothing their whole lives and now you want them to feed a baby 10-12 times a day. They may get a little sore. Now I wouldn't say it "hurts" but it may not be completely comfortable even if you are doing everything right. I know women who have given up becauses of this myth and it makes me sad. However if the pain continues to worsen or it is bad enough that you dread nursing, do seek help as soon as possible.

Also if you have a "textbook" latch and it isn't quite working for you, remember all babies and nipples are different so do what works not what the books say.

Answer 3

there are different sensations when you nurse a baby. For most women, there is a full feeling at the begining of a nursing session, and the breast becomes softer and more pliable during. Most mothers switch sides after a certain amount of time, and after a while you notice how the feeling is different, and you become a custom to switching when the feeling changes. You don't actually feel it coming out, but they do feel lighter. As for tickling, after you have established a routine and the soreness passes, which isn't present for all women, it can tickle when they are latching on, or if they pull away for some reason. Also my daughter was constantly running her hands on my sides, that does tickle and there was no way to stop it lol Good Luck

Answer 4

I have successfully breastfed 3 children. I am still nursing my 18 month old son. When your breast is full, it usually is harder and when empty is softer. Once you get your milk in you will definately be able to tell the difference. I have read that it is not necessary as some doctors may tell to switch breasts after 20 to 30 minutes. I never switched...the thought behind this is that if you do not switch, the baby will receive more of the hindmilk if you don't switch. Also, some babies do not stay at the breast just to eat. Sometimes after they have filled their bellies, they will stay at the breast just to suckle, or pacify themselves. Again, after a while you will be able to tell the difference.

One word of advice, if you plan to nurse successfully, at the hospital, make sure you let the nurses know of your intentions. Make a sign that says "No pacifers or bottles...Nursing baby." This will prevent nipple confusion when it is so important to establish it.
Also, plan to nurse exclusively for the first 4 weeks so your baby does not get nipple confusion. This can make latching on very difficult. If you have to be away from your baby, have someone feed her formula or your expressed breast milk with a syringe.
Nursing does not hurt or tickle if she is latching on correctly. I suggest using Lansinoh for sore nipples. Try putting this cream on a few weeks for before your due date to condition your nipples. Put it on after every feeding once you start nursing. It is not necessary to wipe it off before she feeds.
If your baby does get thrush, you will most likely get this on your nipples as well. Your pediatrician will prescripe Nystatin for her mouth which you can also apply to your nipples. Your OB/GYN can also prescribe a Nystatin cream or Diflucan for this. You will know you have this if your skin on your nipples starts peeling and bleeding. There will also be EXTREME pain when baby latches on.
Nursing is the most beautiful, self-less act we as women can give our babies. You are making the right choice. However, if it doesn't work for you, do not feel guilty. I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 5

breastfeeding is the best way to feed your baby. the baby will also feel very close to you. while you are pregnant, your breasts will get larger, filling with milk to feed with. when the baby is born, you will learn to breastfeed. The nurses in the hospital should be able to help you. you might also check with the leleche/laleche league. sorry, i forgot how it's spelled. they are listed in the phone book. breastfeeding also keeps your baby healthy. it's milk made just for little humans. when you start breastfeeding, start with about five minutes per side. slowly increase the time after that. i never felt full or empty. your baby will cry when he or she is hungry again. i wish you all the best.

Answer 6

should really get on a schedule when breastfeeding, and is something you should decide and not let people impose. You could either do one breast one feeding and the other breast on the next feeding, or you could do half the time on one and half on the other. You really could feel them emptying out, when is time to feed the baby they usually get very hard and you could feel a relieving sensation and is time to switch.

Does it tickle? Well to be honest at first is kind of painful, but I will hardly recommend you to use Lansinoh Breastfeeding cream or Medela PureLan 100, which you could get at any drug store. Start putting these creams on before giving birth so you could start moisturizing and softening your nipples and definitely take it to the hospital with you and put it on before you put your baby on your breast. The beauty of these creams is that they really help you with your sore nipples and is totally safe for the baby, that way you could always have it on before you start feeding.

I'm telling you I saw the breastfeeding world before and after these breastfeeding creams and it makes a whole world of a difference. This is an item I include in every baby-shower gifts.

Good luck!!!

Answer 7

Women do not "change sides" because they are "empty", but in order to create an equal "supply & demand" experience. Breast milk is produced and replenished based on supply and demand. Ifyou were to nurse on one side more than the other, one side would produce more milk. I kept a safety pin that I would attach to my bra on the side I nursed on last so I would know which side to begin nursing on the next time.

Nursing does not tickle, nor does it hurt when baby latches on correctly.

Answer 8

Switch when the baby either latches off or falls asleep. If you keep nursing for a few years then you will know what it is like when you are truly empty- it hurts. But for the first two years it doesn't happen.

Answer 9

baby will stop suckling- also you will feel the let down when milk flows & when it stops

Answer 10

i believe the baby stops sucking when it is empty. at least they do it with a bottle.